QLD to host world’s first Asia-Pacific drone congress

Queensland will host the world’s first Asia-Pacific congress on drone technologies at the end of August.

The World of Drones Congress 2017 www.worldofdrones.com.au will held in Brisbane at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre and cover topics such as the new drone economy, safety, smart cities, emergency response and environment and conservation.

The Congress will be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre between 31 August and 2 September 2017.

“As a regional leader in the application of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), commonly known as drones, Brisbane is delighted to host the World of Drones Congress-this is a major coup for Queensland,” said Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in a statement.

The state government will provide $250,000 for the congress, which takes place from 31 August to 2 September this year.

“Queensland is a state of innovation, with drone-friendly policies attracting major industry players such as Japan’s Terra Drone, who chose Brisbane as their new base in the Asia Pacific region,” she said.

The Queensland Government is already investing $1 million as part of its $10 million Advance Queensland Platform Technology Program.

“The funding will develop and test cutting-edge RPAS technologies used to monitor infrastructure across critical industries including LNG, agriculture, mining, energy, telecommunications, and environmental management,” said the Premier.

“This multidisciplinary conference will provide an ideal platform for business matching, industry development and commercialisation, positioning Queensland as an attractive investment destination.”

The congress will include a schools Design a Drone competition to encourage students get involved in the emerging billion dollar drone industry.

International drone experts such as the United States’ Thomas Frey and Wei Pang from China will lead the keynote addresses for the three-day conference.

“With China the largest manufacturer of drones, Shenzhen and Beijing are also behind this event and will be sending a cohort of companies to participate as exhibitors,” said Queensland Minister for Innovation Leeanne Enoch.

Congress convenor Catherine Ball said the event has already received significant interest globally and she expects to see the Queensland business community embrace this congress.

“Organisations like Amazon, Australia Post, Red Cross and Facebook are planning for a future where drone technology is part of day-to-day operations – the technology is here and the possibilities are endless for businesses willing to adopt a future-driven mindset,” Dr. Ball said.

More information on the event can be found at: www.worldofdrones.com.au