MAPPS Fall Policy Conference Taking Place during Drone World Expo

SAN JOSE, CA, September 17, 2015 – MAPPS, the trade association of private sector geospatial firms, will be co-locating its Fall Policy Conference at Drone World Expo,November 17-18 at the San Jose Convention Center. The conference will kick off with a presentation on What You Need to Know Before Starting Up Your Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Department. Experts in the field will explore factors to consider when planning the start-up of a stand-alone UAS business, or a department in an existing firm, for geospatial and imaging data acquisition. These include system operating limitations, flight training, crew responsibilities, operator authority, and client expectations. The MAPPS program will also include information on standards, licensing and applications for UAS utilization in the geospatial market.

“The MAPPS sessions will complement the Drone World Expo education program and will focus on preparing entrepreneurs, investors, executives and technical managers, as well as end users, to utilize UAS technology to its fullest extent and expose the challenges that await fledging operators,” said Joel Davis, President, JD Events, producers of the Drone World Expo.  “For firms exploring UAS operations, subcontracting, partnering or any other strategy to utilize this technology, the MAPPS Fall Policy Conference at Drone World Expo is the place for you.”

Speakers at the Policy Conference will include Bryan Baker, UAS Sales Manager, Leica Geosystems; Jeff Lovin, Senior Vice President, Director of Geospatial Services, Woolpert;Andy Nickerson, Director of Business Development, Aerovel Corp.; Mike Tully, President, Aerial Services, Inc.; and David Yoel, CEO, American Aerospace, Inc.

The conference will be moderated by John Palatiello, Executive Director, MAPPS. “Wechose to participate in Drone World Expo because we believe it will attract the largest, most diverse and highest quality participants. Our research has shown there are a lot of venture capital, start-up and entrepreneur interest in UAS for geospatial in Silicon Valley, and we are confident the San Jose location of Drone World Expo will provide us access and exposure to those individuals and an opportunity to engage in a dialogue with them,” said Palatiello.

Attendees can add the MAPPS geospatial programming to their Drone World Expo registration for just $95 before October 1, $195 after October 1, and $295 at the event. (MAPPS members save 10 percent – visit MAPPS.org for details).

Each day of Drone World Expo will kick off with a keynote presentation, followed by a full day of panels and case studies. The exhibit hall will be open 10 am – 6 pm on Tuesday, November 17 and 10 am – 5 pm on Wednesday, November 18 with a networking reception on the show floor the last hour of the expo each day.

MAPPS is the trade association of private sector geospatial firms. It is the only association in the geospatial field exclusively comprised of private sector firms in the market. MAPPS member firms are engaged in surveying, photogrammetry, satellite and airborne remote sensing, aerial photography, hydrography, aerial and satellite image processing, GPS and GIS data collection and conversion services. Associate members include firms that provide products and services to member firms, as well as other firms world-wide. MAPPS is the leading advocate for market growth in the geospatial field. The goals and activities are focused on growing the market, creating a climate for profitability, networking, collaboration, providing an opportunity to grow one’s business, education and information sharing. For more information, visit www.mapps.org.