Thousands of leaders and professionals in robotics and unmanned systems to attend largest trade show for the industry

ARLINGTON, Va., April 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) will host XPONENTIAL 2016, the largest trade show for the unmanned systems and robotics industry, from May 2 to 5 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. Over 8,000 industry leaders and professionals from more than 55 countries will come together to discuss the latest innovations in the unmanned systems market.

The exhibit hall will showcase over 600 cutting-edge companies, representing more than 20 industries. XPONENTIAL 2016 will offer over 200 educational sessions, providing information about the future of unmanned systems policy, regulations and technology. It will also feature for the first time the Startup Showdown, with $15,000 in cash prizes and mentorship opportunities for early-stage companies. The Innovation Hub, which includes educational programming such as poster sessions and "beyond the booth" presentations, is returning for another edition of the trade show.

Award-winning journalist Miles O'Brien, the science correspondent for PBS NewsHour, will host XPONENTIAL. Keynote speakers will include Michael P. Huerta, administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration; Gen. David G. Perkins, commander of the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command; Gur Kimchi, co-founder and vice president of Amazon Prime Air; and John Chambers, executive chairman of the board of Cisco Systems.

In addition, the conference will convene a general session panel of industry thought leaders discussing the future of unmanned systems. U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo, chairman of the House aviation subcommittee; Frank Kelley, deputy assistant secretary of the U.S. Navy for Unmanned Systems; Marke Gibson, senior advisor for UAS integration at the FAA; and Dr. John Cavolowsky, director of NASA's Airspace Systems Program, will serve on the panel, which will be moderated by AUVSI president and CEO Brian Wynne.

For more information about XPONENTIAL 2016, visit www.xponential.org.

To view this media announcement online, please visit http://bit.ly/1N6E1n1.

The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) — the world's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of unmanned systems and robotics — represents more than 7,500 members from more than 60 countries involved in the fields of government, industry and academia. AUVSI members work in the defense, civil and commercial markets.

SOURCE Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI)