Letter from the President
Friday, December 29, 2017
‘Tis the season for lists.
Top 10 2017 Pop Hits!
Top 10 News Events.
25 Best Gifts for…
IRS Income Tax deductions
20 People to Watch in 2018
Top 5 Business deals of 2017
Better judgment tells me I shouldn’t publish my holiday wish list here (even though it is mostly drones and related stuff). And although I intend to touch upon some chapter highlights from the past year (and expose a few plans for 2018), I will try to avoid too many lists.
2017 in Review
The New England Chapter had a very good 2017. Our event calendar wasn’t overbooked, but the members and affiliates found great opportunity to connect and learn about the latest technologies in the wide markets we represent.
We launched the Autonomous Vehicle Summit this past year. Held at Draper (2017 Event Sponsor), we welcomed a broad range of experts in both systems integration and public policy development. We are looking forward the the second annual AVSummit, coming in early March. This years event will be looking at current on-the-road programs and markets of opportunity for all sized companies.
AUVSI held its huge Xponential show in Dallas this past May, and the New England Chapter was well represented with five Directors in attendance, and about 75 companies and organizations from the region exhibiting. Two of our directors were involved in either panel presentations or program hosts. Plans for the 2018 show in Denver are well under way, and the New England chapter is going to be there in force again this spring.
In June of 2017, we hosted Robotica at the Boston Newton Marriott. This marked the third year of Robotica as the regional conference on autonomous systems and robotics applications, and while we have enjoyed success with the multi-day format, 2018 will roll out a new Robotica Series platform. Four individual, subject focused, single day conferences hosted throughout the year to help drive activity and conversations across the northeast. AV Summit 2018 will be the first of these and will be followed in June with a sUAS day in the works. Additional topics will include maritime markets, warehousing and workforce.
In addition to the Robotica Series Events, the chapter recently launched Unmanned Insights, the new format for our Lunch & Learn events. We hosted a number of cyber security experts from the Waterloo region of Ontario CN. We are looking at the next UI event in early February. If your firm would like to host an UI event, please contact us to coordinate a date.
AUVSI New England was awarded the 2017 “Chapter of the Year” this past May. We are working hard to prove this is a recognition we deserve on an annual basis. A critical part of this effort, is an increase in outreach to our regional member affiliates and a strong desire to build relationships with all market players in the northeast. We are initiating studies and round tables to build up our organization’s understanding of the top market sectors and key stakeholders in these segments. We look to help communicate to policy makers and regional authorities a clear picture of where the New England technology markets are thriving, and where we can help drive new growth throughout the region.
Finally, we are very pleased to announce that the 2018 National Finals for the AUVSI Foundation SeaPearch Challenge will be hosted right here in Massachusetts this June. We are working with the foundation to build up a comprehensive two day event and expand marketing opportunities for maritime market stakeholders in conjunction with the championship. Stay tuned for more.
Thank you to all our annual corporate sponsors who have already stepped up to renew for 2018. We look forward to working with you to promote this industry and our regional leadership, and hope that you all have a wonderfully productive New Year.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey S. Adams
President, AUVSI New England
