As restrictions on travel and meetings due to the COVID-19 pandemic are anticipated to remain in place during the summer, the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) is confirming the postponement of AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2020 to Oct. 5 to 8, and moving the trade show to Dallas.
AUVSI based its decision to reschedule XPONENTIAL 2020 to the fall on concerns for the health and safety of the attendees of the trade show, which is a key event that showcases the advancement of businesses and technologies in the unmanned systems industry.
“For 48 years we have witnessed how innovation and resolve meet challenges head-on to reshape critical missions and business operations for the better,” said Brian Wynne, president and CEO of AUVSI. “Our commitment to supporting the unmanned systems community remains unwavering, so amidst the current global health crisis we, too, must adapt to fulfill that mission.”
XPONENTIAL 2020 was originally planned for the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center on May 4 to 7. In March, AUVSI tentatively postponed the event to Aug. 10 to 12. In order to allow additional time for restrictions to be safely lifted and some economic recovery to begin, AUVSI has rescheduled the event to Oct. 5 to 8. As AUVSI was unable to secure the original location for the new dates, the trade show has been moved to the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, where XPONENTIAL was held three years ago.
“While we are disappointed to leave Boston, we are excited to confirm that we will be once again hosting XPONENTIAL in Dallas, Texas,” Wynne said. “We anticipate great participation based on the attendance and engagement we experienced there in 2017, and our AUVSI Lone Star Chapter has already extended a warm welcome on behalf of the Texas unmanned systems community.”
Additionally, AUVSI will implement a health and safety plan to address social distancing and other measures to help keep participants safe. Further information will be provided during the coming weeks and months on the conference website: xponential.org.
