Aerial Evolution 2025 at Edmonton International Airport was one of the most energizing conferences I’ve attended in years. With more than 300 registrants, a sold-out exhibitor hall, and hardly a sponsorship slot left, it felt like the Canadian (and beyond!) drone and advanced air mobility community showed up not just in numbers, but with enthusiasm and interest about where we’re headed.
I always look forward to this conference because it’s more than a series of sessions. It’s a yearly reset, a way to reflect on the progress we’ve made, reconnect with the people who’ve helped push the industry forward, and get excited about everything still to come.
One of the things that makes Aerial Evolution stand apart from other industry events is just how educational it truly is. (And I’m not just saying that because I ran two workshops) I also don’t mean in a surface-level or purely inspirational way, but in a hands-on, practical sense. There’s something incredibly valuable about sitting in a room with the people who write the regulations, build the technology, and operate the aircraft, and being able to ask questions directly as you learn or get the subtle nod of affirmation as you present.
Whether it was panels, workshops, or demos, the theme was consistent: learn, challenge, and grow.
I felt that especially in the workshops I delivered. Even when sessions were running tight on time, the engagement and the willingness to dig into the complexities reminded me how much knowledge-sharing still fuels this community. And while my Prairie City scenario workshop didn’t draw the crowd I’d hoped for (note to self: don’t schedule against a NAV v. TC showdown next year), the conversation that followed was exactly what I’d hoped for. Folks played along, were honest, curious and willing to think deeply while “wearing someone else’s shoes”. I’m already excited to refine the format and bring it back next year.
A highlight for me every year are our Women in Drone events. In particular, this year was announcing the 2025 ELLEvatus Award winner: Jeannie Stewart-Smith.
This award is incredibly meaningful to me. It celebrates women who elevate others, who carve out space for themselves and then make room to pull others forward. Jeannie is a driven, professional leader who, despite her incredible success as a Senior Policy Manager within Transport Canada’s SET team, is still kind, humble, approachable and generous with her time and expertise.
I was honoured to help recognize her.
The Women in Drones breakfast is becoming one of my favourite parts of the entire conference. I first attended an AEAC (then USC) conference in 2015 and there were maybe 6 women? This event has grown into a genuine space for connection, support, and open conversation about leadership, representation, challenges, and what it means to build an inclusive and innovative industry. I leave every year feeling recharged and love the networking it enables.
Several themes stood out throughout the event.
First, AEAC is entering a new chapter. There is a clear push toward refining the association’s strategic pillars: dual-use development, sovereign supply chains, education, and sustainable funding. This direction feels right and reflects where the industry is headed.
Second, education is now a strategic necessity. We can’t scale AAM or BVLOS operations without building public understanding and acceptance. That means educating not only pilots and operators, but communities, youth, and future decision-makers.
Third, innovation is happening, but we need to be bolder. Listening to operators and regulators reflect on the year made me realize how much room there still is to innovate in Canadian-mande technology, training, simulation, operations, and public engagement. I left the conference with a renewed sense of motivation to build something that genuinely stands out.
This conference always reminds me why I love this work. The technology is fascinating, but it’s the people, the conversations, and the collective commitment to building something bigger, safer, and more impactful that keeps me coming back. Huge thank you to Erika, Jordan, Declan and the rest of the conference planning committee who made this year everything it was.
We have a big year ahead in Canada. Between our new regulation framework, new technologies (hopefully a few more!) and new expectations, there’s work to do. But after spending three days surrounded by the smartest minds in our industry, I’m more confident than ever that we’re moving in the right direction.
And I can’t wait to see what we build next.
