Top women executives from UAV industry to lead panel discussion and luncheon at InterDrone fostering unique networking opportunity for women in the commercial drone market

MELVILLE, N.Y., May 9, 2016 — BZ Media LLC announced today the second Women in Drones Luncheon, a special networking event at InterDrone™ The International Drone Conference & Exposition being held September 7-9 at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas. Gretchen West, a Senior Advisor at Hogan Lovells US LLP and former executive at Drone Deploy and AUVSI, will moderate the panel discussion.

West said, "Last year, InterDrone kicked off the Women in Drones phenomenon and the topic has become a national conversation. As a co-founder of the Women of Commercial Drones group and a long-time drone advocate, Im thrilled to be a part of this exciting panel again this year at InterDrone, to connect with other women in the space, and to lead the conversation and help mentor women to become more engaged in our community and in leadership roles in technology in general."

Panelists for the 2016 event include:

Lisa Ellman, Partner at Hogan Lovells and Co-Chair of the firm's global UAS Practice Group
Sally French, journalist at the Wall Street Journal, blogger behind TheDroneGirl.com
Jennifer Richter, a partner with Akin Gump Strauss Hauer and Feld, and counsel to the Small UAV Coalition

"BZ Media and InterDrone are proud to have created this unique networking event allowing women to have an open discussion about both the challenges and opportunities in this growing but predominantly male industry. We are flattered that smaller niche UAV shows have copied the event and allowed this powerful gathering to occur at more than just our show," said Katie Flash, Director of Conference Programs at BZ Media LLC.

InterDrone is the largest event dedicated to commercial drones in North America with nearly 2,800 attendees in 2015. This year InterDrone expects to host 4,000+ commercial drone buyers and flyers who will learn from more than 120 sessions and 135 exhibitors on the show floor. "Exhibitor revenue is already 25% above last years total and attendance is running way ahead of last year so we expect a blowout at InterDrone in 2016," said Ted Bahr, InterDrone Chairman.

Sally French of the Wall Street Journal noted, "I attended the InterDrone Women in Drones Luncheon last year and it was the first time I had seen that many women in one room together who had a common interest. I know this year's event will be even bigger and I can't wait to be part of it."

"In the year since the first Women in Drones Luncheon, the commercial drone industry has gained tremendous momentum -- it's one of the fastest growing sectors in technology. Women have been an early and integral part of paving the way for the commercial drone industry to succeed," said Lisa Ellman, co-chair, UAS Group, Hogan Lovells and Co-founder, Women of Commercial Drones Group. "I'm so excited to be back with some of the most talented women in the space for this next Women in Drones Luncheon, and I am looking forward to meeting others who are getting into the industry and exploring drones transformative economic potential."


To register or for more information, go to www.InterDrone.com.


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BZ Media LLC is a 15 year-old high-tech media company producing industry-leading technical conferences and expositions and SD Times, the leading magazine for the software development industry.