2024 Schedule 

Please note this schedule is subject to change. Check back for program updates.

*Click on Date to open Schedule

Time Name Speakers
4:00 PM - 7:00 PMRegistration 
Time Name Speakers
7:30 AM - 8:30 AMBreakfast 
7:30 AM - 5:00 PMRegistration  
8:30 AM - 8:45 AMConference WelcomeMichael Cohen
8:45 AM - 9:00 AMIndigenous Welcome 
9:00 AM - 9:20 AMLand Acknowledgement & Opening RemarksErika Carrasco
9:20 AM - 10:00 AMKeynote | Dawn Zoldi- It's a Small World After All: Launching Big in a Global EconomyDawn Zoldi
10:00 AM - 10:45 AMPlenary 1 | DFR - "Crawl Walk Fly: Building a Public Safety Program"Phil Cook Barry Brennan Lieutenant John English Sgt. Manuel Salazar Lt. Todd Withers
10:45 AM - 11:15 AMNetworking Break  
11:15 AM - 12:00 PMPlenary 2 | Implementing DFR in Canada: Successes and Challenges 
12:00 PM - 1:00 PMNetworking Lunch 
12:00 PM - 1:00 PMWoman In Drones Lunch 
1:00 PM - 2:00 PMPlenary 3 | Driving Innovation in the Energy & Utilities Sector: Drone Programs for Industrial OperationsGenevieve Decambra
2:00 PM - 3:00 PMPlenary 4 | Drone Applications in AgricultureDarryl Larson Felix Weber Markus Weber
3:00 PM - 3:30 PMNetworking Break 
3:30 PM - 4:30 PMCONCURRENT Breakout Session 1 | Public Safety: Devising Search and Rescue Solutions 
3:30 PM - 4:30 PMCONCURRENT Breakout Session 2 | Advancements in Environmental ApplicationsMike Morellato
3:30 PM - 4:30 PMCONCURRENT Breakout Session 3 | Transportation & ConstructionGhadeer Nassif Grant Barkman
4:30 PM - 5:00 PMAEAC 2024 Awards CeremonyRoger Haessel
5:00 PM - 6:30 PMWelcome Reception 
Time Name Speakers
7:30 AM - 8:30 AMBreakfast 
7:30 AM - 5:00 PMRegistration 
8:30 AM - 8:45 AMMorning Kickoff Erika Carrasco Michael Cohen
8:45 AM - 9:15 AMKeynote | Fireside Chat with DJIAdam Welsh Michael Cohen
9:15 AM - 10:15 AMPlenary 5 | Transport Canada UpdateRyan Coates Jeannie Stewart-Smith Josué Morissette Carlos Ruella Paul Bolt
10:15 AM - 10:45 AMNetworking Break  
10:45 AM - 11:45 AMPlenary 6 | Counter UAS: Applications Across IndustriesErika Carrasco Sina Sajjadi
11:45 AM - 12:45 PMNetworking Lunch 
12:45 PM - 1:15 PMKeynote | Transforming the Future of MobilityRobin Riedel Michael Cohen
1:15 PM - 2:00 PMPlenary 7 | NAV Canada and PartnersAnne-Sophie Riopel-Bouvier
2:00 PM - 3:00 PMPlenary 8 | Drones and Airports: The 'Flight' Path ForwardDean Ervin
3:00 PM - 3:30 PMNetworking Break  
3:30 PM - 4:30 PMCONCURRENT Breakout Session 1 | UTM/RTMLindsay Mohr Stefan Kischkel
3:30 PM - 4:30 PMCONCURRENT Breakout Session 2 | Industry Consensus Standards - Why you should be engaged!Mark Aruja Steve Priestley Craig Bloch-Hansen
3:30 PM - 4:30 PMCONCURRENT Breakout Session 3 | Education Panel Courtland Penk Allister Schreiber
4:30 PM - 5:15 PMPlenary 9 | Empowering Women in Drones: A Fireside ChatTamara Kerelchuk
5:15 PM - 7:00 PMNetworking Reception  

Keynote Speakers 

Dawn M.K. Zoldi  |  Colonel, USAF, Retired

Dawn Zoldi
Speaker Bio
Dawn M.K. Zoldi (Colonel, USAF, Retired) is a licensed attorney with 28 years of combined active duty military and federal civil service to the U.S. Air Force and a Part 107 certified drone pilot. She is the CEO & Founder of P3 Tech Consulting and an internationally recognized expert on uncrewed aircraft system law and policy, featured in CNN, Forbes and Newsweek and on the Public Broadcasting Service television network (show host in Emmy-nominated series). Her Dawn of Autonomy podcast (formerly the Dawn of Drones) was recognized as one of the “Top 7 Drone Podcasts 2024 (The Drone Girl) and the “Best Drone Podcast of the Year 2023” (The Droning Company).

Adam Welsh  Head of Global Policy and Government Relations, DJI

Adam Welsh
Speaker Bio
Adam Welsh is Head of Global Policy and Government Relations for DJI. Adam is responsible for DJI's global strategy relating to public policy and advocating for reasonable and balanced regulatory outcomes for drone operators around the globe at all levels of government.

Robin Riedel  |  Partner, McKinsey & Company

Robin Riedel
Speaker Bio
Robin is a Partner in McKinsey & Company’s San Francisco office. He co-leads the McKinsey Center for Future Mobility and its work in mobility disruptors in the Americas and is a global leader of the Disruptive Aerospace sector within McKinsey’s Aerospace & Defense Practice. His work focuses on innovative topics in the aviation industry, including advanced air mobility, unmanned aerial systems, sustainable aviation, and super or hypersonic flight. Through his client work he serves the whole ecosystem, from OEMs to investors to suppliers to operators to government agencies, across geographies and both established players and startups.

Teara Fraser   |  Canadian Aviator, Founder and CEO of Iskwew Air

Teara Fraser
Speaker Bio
Becoming a pilot was transformational, truly giving this Métis woman wings. Teara is the Founder of Iskwew Air, the bridge between traditional air service and the sustainable technology of the future. She has recently launched a clean aero tech company – Elibird Aero. She believes that together in this innovative space we will reimagine, rematriate, and rebuild our air transportation system - centering equity and sustainability. Teara holds a Master of Arts in Leadership degree from Royal Roads University, and she serves as a Board Director for Aerial Evolution.