Liftoff for Oklahoma’s Newest Industry at the WBT Open Innovation Forum: Unmanned Aerial Systems

Next week, national leaders gather in Stillwater to test the winds for unmanned aerial systems

STILLWATER, Okla.--()--From angel investors to NASA scientists, the 100-plus experts meeting soon in Stillwater can’t wait to get off the ground.

Participants at the WBT Open Innovation Forum: Unmanned Aerial Systems (WBToi-UAS)—held Oct. 29-30 at the Wes Watkins Center—will share case studies, best practices and cutting-edge UAS technologies. The global demand for these remotely controlled systems, whose wide range of uses include crop monitoring, scouting shipping routes and catching wildlife poachers, is expected to top $15 billion in the next decade.

Among WBToi-UAS highlights are keynotes from General Atomics President Billy J. Gilliland and Stephen McKeever, Oklahoma’s Secretary of Science and Technology, panelists from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and three NASA space centers, and a live flight demonstration of a UAS prototype from Oklahoma State University (OSU) being commercialized through its start-up incubator, Cowboy Technologies.

“OSU is actively working on many UAS technologies with near-term commercial potential,” said Daniel Will, Cowboy Technologies’ Executive Director. “We’ll be flying a later-stage prototype inside the Wes Watkins Center that is tuned for first responders like firefighters.”

WBToi-UAS is a first-time event for organizer Development Capital Networks (DCN), an Oklahoma City-based entrepreneurial services provider with 20 years of experience in regional economic development, technology transfer and capital formation.

At the request of Oklahoma State and the Stillwater Chamber, we launched this event to build regional know-how in a critical new industry,” said Robert Heard, a DCN managing director.

“Oklahoma is already a leader in aerospace, agriculture, energy and advanced manufacturing, all sectors that converge with unmanned aerial systems,” Heard said. “It makes sense the state should get out ahead as this new industry takes off.”

The media is welcome to attend WBToi-UAS with advance notice. Please contact Gypsy Hogan for queries, and Ryan Aasheim for interview access to WBToi-UAS speakers, panelists and participants.

Media highlights—WBToi-UAS, Thursday, Oct. 30, Wes Watkins Center:

  • 8:45 - 9:15 a.m. General Atomics President Billy J. Gilliland explores global demand for UAS solutions and emerging market opportunities.
  • Noon - 1:15 p.m. Luncheon welcome from Oklahoma State Science and Technology Secretary Stephen McKeever, followed by keynote address from Boeing Global R&D Strategy Director William F. Lyons.
  • 2:15 - 2:45 p.m. Cowboy Technologies will live-demo a UAS prototype designed to maneuver indoors and provide situational awareness to firefighters and other first responders.
  • Click here for a full speaker schedule.
  • For a full list of WBToi-UAS sponsors and partners, click here.

About WBT Open Innovation Forum™

A product of Development Capital Networks LLC, WBT Open Innovation Forum™ (WBToi) is a full-day event hosted by regional economic development organizations. WBToi introduces local companies to Open Innovation concepts and methods, with a focus on existing or emerging sectors of strength. More about WBToi-Unmanned Aerial Systems at www.wbtoi.com/uas.

About Development Capital Networks LLC

For over 20 years, Development Capital Networks (DCN) has provided specialized products, management and training to development agencies and entrepreneurial networks. DCN sector expertise includes regional economic development, entrepreneurship, development finance, tech transfer, venture capital and capital formation. More about DCN at www.dcnteam.com.

Contacts

WBToi-UAS
Gypsy Hogan, 405-831-7183
ghogan101@aol.com
or
Ryan Aasheim, 701-499-6994
ryan@praxissg.com

Contacts

WBToi-UAS
Gypsy Hogan, 405-831-7183
ghogan101@aol.com
or
Ryan Aasheim, 701-499-6994
ryan@praxissg.com