FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug 8, 2017
Contact: Tom McMahon, tmcmahon@auvsi.org, (571) 255-7786

South Florida tech industry receives boost with launch of new AUVSI Miami Chapter, highlighting drones, robotics, and other emerging autonomous systems

World’s largest nonprofit organization devoted exclusively to advancing the unmanned and robotics community to hold local kickoff event Aug. 14

MIAMI – Highlighting the proliferation of South Florida’s flourishing tech scene, the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) is launching a new Miami Satellite Chapter focused on showcasing drones, robotics, and other unmanned systems throughout South Florida.

“Miami is quickly emerging as the innovation epicenter for Florida, Latin America, and the Caribbean,” said Brian Wynne, president and CEO of AUVSI. “We are excited to join the South Florida community as drones, unmanned vehicles, and other autonomous systems spearhead the next great technology revolution.”

The Miami Satellite Chapter, a subsidiary of AUVSI’s Florida Peninsula Chapter, will focus on building awareness and dialogue among South Florida’s defense, civil, commercial, academic, and government sectors.

“Our expansion into South Florida will allow AUVSI to establish direct communication with key stakeholders at the local level,” said Brent Klavon, president of AUVSI’s Florida Peninsula Chapter and a member of AUVSI’s board of directors. “We expect to replicate this model in other parts of Florida in the very near future.”

AUVSI has tapped local unmanned systems entrepreneur Christopher Todd to spearhead the launch of the new Miami Satellite Chapter. Todd, who will serve as the interim chapter director, will look to capitalize upon the momentum already building throughout South Florida’s emerging technology corridor spanning throughout Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties.

“We are on the cusp of witnessing a total evolution in air-, land-, and sea-based autonomous systems,” according to Todd. “South Florida is uniquely positioned to play a key role in this transformation for a major portion of the Western Hemisphere. This is a journey we are extremely excited about.”

The AUVSI Miami Satellite Chapter kickoff event is scheduled for Monday, Aug.14 starting at 6:00 p.m. EDT at the 94th Aero Squadron restaurant, located next to Miami International Airport. All persons interested in unmanned systems and technology are welcome to attend. For more information and to RSVP, visit kickoff.auvsimiami.org

About AUVSI
The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) – the world’s largest nonprofit organization devoted exclusively to advancing the unmanned systems and robotics community – represents more than 7,500 members from more than 60 countries involved in the fields of government organizations, industry, and academia. AUVSI members work in the defense, civil, and commercial markets. For more information, visit AUVSI.org.