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ARLINGTON, Va., March 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- As changing federal regulations and technology advancements continue to drive the unmanned systems and robotics industry, including drones, the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) today announced that eight U.S. states will exhibit at XPONENTIAL 2017, with pavilions that highlight the business innovators and opportunities in their communities. The states that will be represented are Colorado, Kansas, Maryland, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Texas and Utah. XPONENTIAL 2017 will take place at the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center in Dallas from May 8 to 11, 2017.

"With growth set to explode for the unmanned systems industry, states offer a variety of tax and financial incentives to companies working in the space, but equally important is a base of educated, skilled employees," said Brian Wynne, AUVSI president and CEO. "We are excited to see so much interest from state organizations that are looking to attract, retain and train the innovators in the unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) industry."

Many states are capitalizing on the numerous commercial applications of the technology to increase UAS business activity, including testing beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations. The following states will exhibit and discuss their initiatives at XPONENTIAL 2017:

• Colorado: UAS Colorado is a non-profit industry advocacy group that is committed to promoting and growing the commercial drone industry in Colorado.
• Kansas: Kansas Aviation is heavily invested in UAS, and will host business and technology experts that currently produce over 70 percent of general aviation aircraft in the world.
• Maryland: Unmanned and autonomous vehicles are at work today across Maryland, with farmers, watermen, infrastructure inspection, the medical and first responder communities, and many others adopting the technology.
• Nevada: The Nevada Institute for Autonomous Systems (NIAS) encourages business relationships, collaboration with primary research institutions, and helps enhance the UAS industry knowledge base in order to attract new and permanent business within the State of Nevada.
• North Dakota: To date, North Dakota has invested over $37 million for UAS initiatives and is collaborating with public and private partners to advance the industry.
• Ohio: Home to the world capital of aeronautical research and development, Ohio also offers the first site to fly UAS beyond-visual-line-of-sight in the National Airspace Systems (NAS), hosts the annual UAS Midwest Conference, and is the heartland of the advanced manufacturing and aerospace industry in the U.S.
• Texas: The Lone Star Corral will feature operational, technical, research and development, and community development discussions with developers and academics that are driving the UAS industry in Texas.
• Utah: Since 1987, EDCUtah has worked with state and local government and private industry to attract and grow competitive, high-value companies and spur the expansion of local Utah businesses.

More than 7,000 industry leaders and professionals from more than 55 countries are expected to attend XPONENTIAL 2017. The exhibit hall will showcase more than 650 cutting-edge companies from around the world, representing more than 20 industries.

Registration for XPONENTIAL 2017 has opened. For more information, visit www.xponential.org.

About AUVSI
The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) — the world's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of unmanned systems and robotics — represents more than 7,500 members from more than 60 countries involved in the fields of government, industry and academia. AUVSI members work in the defense, civil and commercial markets.

SOURCE Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI)