DroneCon 2019: Here’s what you need to know

The aim of DroneCon is to “redefine the Future of Work with Drones, and the event will bring together industry leaders and policy makers to “analyse emerging trends.

DroneCon 2019: When and where?

This year’s event – the third annual DroneCon – takes place on 15 and 16 October at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC) in Durban.

In addition to DroneCone 2019, the KZN Export Week is taking place from 14 to 18 October. It’s an annual programme of Trade & Investment KwaZulu-Natal (TIKXN).

The Export Week aims to “recognise, promote and assist with growing KwaZulu-Natal’s export business and industries,” through a comprehensive programme of activities and networking opportunities.

But that’s not all. Other co-located events include the two-day African Ports and Rail Evolution, spanning 15 and 16 October; and The Durban Chamber of Commerce & Industry on 17 October

DroneCon 2019: Programme highlights

Topics for discussion include building a start-up culture for the drone industry, as well as skills development from drone pilots, and the best of use in agriculture, one of the biggest sectors in South Africa.

A definite highlight is Smart Cities Integration of Drone Technology, which will be moderated by the CEO of Innovate Durban, Aurelia Alberts.

Her segment will be followed by the business architect at SAP, Mervyn George, with a presentation on Drone Global Cities Use Case Studies.

Panellists include Lunga Madlala, David Morema, Thessygan Moodley and Sandile Mahlaba. Sean Reitz will close on the second day, with a summary of the conference’s deliberations.

The full programme can be viewed here.

DroneCon 2019 Speakers

The lineup of acclaimed speakers for DroneCon 2019 span across several of the industry’s sub-sectors, including:

• Alan Ball, founder of Flying Robot
• Mervyn George, Innovation Strategy Lead for Africa, SAP
• Sean Reitz, director and founder of United Drone Groups, President of CUAASA
• Zeph Nhleko, deputy director general, Department of Economic Development
• Jeoffrey Matshoba, ATM/CNS Planning and Standards at ATNS
• Sam Twala, co-founder and director of NTSU Aviation Solutions
• Nomusa Dube Ncube, MEC, Economic Development, Tourism & Environmental Affairs
• Louise Jupp, Director of Terreco Aviation
• Dr Debbie Jewitt, ecosystem ecologist at Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife
• Stella Tembisa Ndabeni-Abrahams, Minister, Ministry of Communications and Digital Technologies
• Sanjeev Gadhia, founder and CEO of Astral Aerial
• Aurelia Albert, chief executive officers at Innovate Durban
• Gary Mortimer, CEO of sUAS News
• Gift Kgadima, CEO of Nafasi Za Angani
• Thuthu Ngcobo, chief operations officer of Enterprise iLembe
• And many more; the complete list can be viewed here.

Also read – Drones described as ‘Guardians’ of African wildlife in new anti-poaching film