Our mission is to advocate, promote, and grow the societal and economic benefits of safe, accessible, and affordable unmanned systems technologies in Pennsylvania.
The PA Drone Association is a 501C(6) trade association established in February 2019. We are an association of businesses, institutions, and individuals with a common interest in unmanned systems technologies. We work to advance that common interest through networking, collaboration, advocacy, education, and economic development opportunities in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Collaboration with our members and Pennsylvania legislators and leadership to craft policies that enable industry growth.
Educate recreational and commercial users to cultivate a mantra and practice of safety first.
Identify and cultivate commercial /enterprise users of drone technology and encourage the scalable adoption of their UAS application.
Grow the commercial drone industry in Pennsylvania by developing an environment of integration, utilization, research, training, and funding of drone technology.
Our committees provide you the opportunity to get involved in an area of expertise that interests you. We need you to participate. The committees usually all meet via conference calls. Please reach out to the Committee Chair to learn about the activities and opportunities to participate.
The Partnership & Collaboration Committee provides members and the public with information about the PA Drone Association, the drone industry and drone priorities.
Roles and Responsibilities:
• Oversee the planning and organization for a continuous membership growth and maintenance program
• Resolve delinquent memberships by contacting the delinquent member and trying to bring the member back into good standing
• Develop and maintain the PA Drone Association’s communication tools (public service announcements, videos, website, social media, and e-newsletter)
Rene L. Diehl, Chair
Government Affairs Advisor, K&L Gates
This committee serves as an advisory committee to all public policy for the PA Drone Association. The committee will consist of two main groups and are as follows:
1) National Outreach- partnership and relationships created at a national level provide transparency into the drone industry in Pennsylvania while gaining support from those organizations with common interests.
2) Commonwealth/ Local Advocacy- providing insight and opportunities for the Commonwealth’s key decision makers as well as advocacy towards positive aviation legislation and financial determination.
Roles and Responsibilities:
• Conduct an in-depth review and discussion of all proposed PA Drone Association’s legislative positions at the local, Commonwealth and federal levels of government and determine which ones merit the PA Drone Association’s positions
• Review and give recommendations for legislative education and outreach programs which the PA Drone Association may provide or participate in
• Develop working strategic partnerships with organizations with common interests and leverage the PA Drone Association as an asset on all levels of advocacy statement
The committee manages educational programs and materials of the PA Drone Association, as well as those from Member Societies and further dissemination of licensing and intellectual property information to governments, organizations, institutions, and individuals outside the PA Drone Association.
Roles and Responsibilities:
• To recommend and establish drone education programs and aid in the coordination of drone programs and instructions within the Commonwealth
• Increase public awareness in the drone industry and provide educational resources to industry professionals and students considering and pursuing careers in the drone industry
• Develop and maintain an infrastructure for which the PA Drone Association and educational institutions can maintain
• Maintain focus for the workforce development initiative on specific areas of need in which a real impact may be made
• Identify ongoing objectives, tactics and target audience
• Support relevant industry partners for a unified PA Drone Association-led industry initiative
• Provide guidance for the allocation of resources used to execute workforce development activities
The Events Planning Committee, also known as the Symposium Committee, engages with vendors and companies that want to connect with members through sponsorship and business development opportunities.
Roles and Responsibilities:
• Secure the location for the Annual PA UAS Symposium
• Develop session topics and provide speakers for the Annual PA UAS Symposium, PA Drone Association webinars and other media productions
• Secure educational formats and programs that benefit membership and sponsors
• Oversee the development of sponsorship opportunities and programs
• Develop and maintain business relationships for the purpose of sponsorships
• Secure the Annual PA UAS Symposium sponsorships by the end of the second quarter of the year of the conference
• Establish networking opportunities
• Evaluate data from the previous year’s symposium to inform their goals for the upcoming conference
If you or your organization would like to become a listed supporter of the UAS Innovation Fund sign up below