2026 AUVSI Cascade Spring Symposium Brings Together Investors, Industry Leaders, Defense Operators, Government Officials, and UAS Innovators for Expert Programming, Live Flight Demonstrations, and Networking Opportunities
PENDLETON, Ore. — April 15, 2026 — The AUVSI Cascade Chapter, Oregon UAS Accelerator, and Pendleton UAS Range today announced the 2026 AUVSI Cascade Spring Symposium — a two-day convening of the Pacific Northwest's uncrewed systems and autonomy community, scheduled for April 22–23, 2026, in Pendleton, Oregon.
The symposium is designed as a single destination where operators, investors, founders, government officials, defense contractors, researchers, and academia can engage across the full spectrum of uncrewed systems: from policy and regulation to investor-ready startup pitches and live operational demonstrations at the most turnkey and business-friendly UAS range in the United States.
"Pendleton is uniquely positioned as a national hub for uncrewed systems — and this symposium is the moment we bring that community together in one place," said Wendie Kellington, President of the AUVSI Cascade Chapter. "We are proud to partner with the Oregon UAS Accelerator and the Pendleton UAS Range to deliver an event that reflects the depth and momentum of this industry."
Day 1: Oregon UAS Innovation Showcase and Symposium
Wednesday, April 22 | Hamley's Slickfork Saloon
8 SE Court, Pendleton, OR | 8:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Day 1 delivers a full program of expert presentations, industry panels, and direct networking — anchored by a formal welcome from the Mayor of the City of Pendleton, McKennon McDonald, reflecting the city's deep investment in its identity as a UAS hub.
Featured Speakers and Panels:
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Kenji Sugahara, Director, Oregon Department of Aviation — Federal and state regulatory updates, challenges, and course corrections
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Beat Schmid, Ph.D., Manager, ARM Aerial Facility, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory — Aerial earth system measurements and UAS-enabled data collection
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Wendie Kellington, Kellington Law Group / President, AUVSI Cascade Chapter — Regulatory landscape and legal considerations for UAS operators
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Douglas Nicklin, Unmanned Systems Lead – Americas, HP Additive Manufacturing Solutions — Additive manufacturing applications for uncrewed platforms
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Zachary Schmerber, CEO, Empyrean Defense, Inc. — Defense sector UAS applications and opportunities
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Maxwell Anderson, Founder, 3autonomy — Autonomous systems development
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Jesse Steele, Range Manager, Pendleton UAS Range — Infrastructure, capacity, and the future of operational UAS testing in the Pacific Northwest
Oregon UAS Innovation Showcase Finals
A featured highlight of Day 1 is the Oregon UAS Innovation Showcase Finals — the culminating competitive event of the Oregon UAS Accelerator's third cohort. The top companies from a field of 35 applicants deliver live investor pitches before an expert panel of judges in two dedicated sessions (8:30 AM and 1:05 PM). Competing companies represent sectors spanning Defense and Counter-UAS, Wildfire and Public Safety, Advanced Air Mobility, Logistics and Delivery, Agriculture and Environmental Monitoring, Infrastructure Inspection, AI and Autonomy, and Advanced Hardware and Components.
"The Innovation Showcase is where Oregon's UAS startup ecosystem meets the investment and defense community," said Joseph Wyno, Executive Director of the Oregon UAS Accelerator. "These companies have completed a rigorous 12-week program with direct access to the Pendleton UAS Range — they are tested, investor-ready, and solving some of the hardest problems in autonomy today."
The full day closes with a Networking Reception from 4:30 to 6:30 PM, bringing all attendees together with founders, investors, government officials, and industry partners in an informal setting at Hamley's Slickfork Saloon.
Day 2: Pendleton UAS Range Tech Showcase
Thursday, April 23 | Pendleton UAS Range Hangar
4529 NW A Ave, Pendleton, OR | 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Day 2 moves to the Pendleton UAS Range for a hands-on immersion in operational UAS — live aircraft demonstrations, technology exhibits, range staff briefings, and direct access to hardware, ground stations, and integrated systems.
Confirmed participants include ArgenTech, DelMar Aero, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Yates Electrospace, and multiple Oregon UAS Accelerator cohort companies demonstrating their platforms in an active test environment.
Featured Demonstration: Gambit — Red Force as a Service for Counter-UAS
A standout event on Day 2 is the live demonstration of Red Force as a Service, developed through a partnership between Pendleton UAS Range and Gambit — an AI-first software company delivering multi-domain, collaborative, behavior-based intelligence for autonomous systems. As demand for counter-UAS capabilities grows across military, federal, and critical infrastructure sectors, this demonstration will showcase coordinated multi-aircraft threat scenarios designed to stress and evaluate counter-UAS systems in a real-world airspace environment. The demonstration is designed for counter-UAS manufacturers, military and federal agencies, critical infrastructure operators, and system integrators seeking to validate detection performance, engagement workflows, and operator readiness.
"If you want confidence in a counter-UAS system, you have to test it against threats that learn, adapt, and coordinate," said Josh Giegel, CEO of Gambit. "Partnering with Pendleton helps create exactly that kind of environment for both system validation and operator training."
"Day 2 is a clear reflection of what Pendleton was built for," said Jesse Steele, Range Manager, Pendleton UAS Range. "Whether you're evaluating a counter-UAS system, watching a startup platform fly for the first time, or exploring what our infrastructure can support for long-term operations — this is where Pendleton's capabilities speak for themselves and why we’re DRONETOWN, USA."
Pendleton UAS Range (PUR) is the leading proving ground for unmanned systems and technology in the United States. PUR covers 14,000 sq. mi. of low-traffic, FAA-approved airspace in northeast Oregon with operations up to 15,000 ft. MSL across 50+ diverse environments.
Who Should Attend
The 2026 AUVSI Cascade Spring Symposium is built for the full UAS ecosystem:
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Investors and venture capital seeking pre-vetted, investor-ready deal flow in uncrewed systems and autonomy
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Defense contractors and government agencies exploring operational UAS capabilities, counter-UAS systems, and ISR platforms
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Corporations and strategic partners evaluating uncrewed systems for logistics, agriculture, inspection, and public safety applications
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UAS operators and service providers connecting with customers, partners, and regulators shaping the industry
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Researchers and academia engaging with operational infrastructure and emerging commercial applications
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Startups and entrepreneurs seeking capital, mentorship, and ecosystem relationships
Registration
Full event registration (both days) includes all sessions, live demonstrations, refreshments, lunches, and the networking reception.
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Registration Category |
Price |
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Non-Members |
$295 |
|
AUVSI Members |
$275 |
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Active Duty Military / First Responders |
$195 |
|
Students (K–Graduate) |
$85 |
General registration: AUVSICascade.org
Investors and strategic partners seeking curated access to the Oregon UAS Innovation Showcase and cohort companies may register through a dedicated pathway at: oregonuas.org
Hotel accommodations are available at a group rate through The Hotel Pendleton (105 SE Court Avenue, Pendleton, OR). Reservations: contact Andrea Brinton at 541-429-4342, Monday–Thursday 7:00 AM–2:00 PM, Friday 7:00 AM–12:00 PM.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Sponsorship and exhibit opportunities offer direct brand exposure to UAS operators, investors, defense contractors, government officials, and founders. Options include Networking Reception sponsorship, lunchtime and refreshment sponsorships, exhibit tables at both venues, and annual chapter sponsorships at Platinum ($5,000), Gold ($2,500), Silver ($1,500), and Bronze ($750) levels.
Contact: Lori Brown, Executive Director, AUVSI Cascade Chapter
LoriBrown@CascadeAUVSI.org | 503.703.7440
About AUVSI Cascade Chapter
The AUVSI Cascade Chapter is the Pacific Northwest regional chapter of the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) — the world's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of uncrewed systems and autonomy. The chapter connects operators, innovators, government agencies, educational institutions, and industry leaders driving the development and commercial deployment of UAS technology across Oregon and Washington. Learn more at
About the Oregon UAS Accelerator
The Oregon UAS Accelerator is a state-backed startup acceleration program based in Pendleton, Oregon, that prepares uncrewed systems and robotics companies for investment and commercialization. Operating under Business Oregon, each cohort completes a 12-week investor readiness curriculum with mentorship, pitch training, and direct access to the Pendleton UAS Range's testing infrastructure and FAA-approved airspace. Learn more at
About the Pendleton UAS Range
Pendleton UAS Range (PUR), owned and operated by the City of Pendleton, is America’s most turnkey UAS range for fast, safe, and affordable UAS operations. PUR covers 14,000 sq. mi. of FAA-approved airspace in northeast Oregon with operations approved to 15,000 ft. MSL in over 50 diverse climates and terrains. Purpose-built infrastructure and facilities include state-of-the-art hangars, 16 UAS test pads with water, power, and 10 Gbps fiber, a UAS-friendly air traffic control tower, three mobile command centers, an on-site machine shop, and a 160-acre UAS industrial park with shovel-ready ground. Led by an experienced team that takes the tedium out of testing, PUR is on a mission to fuel UAS innovation, stimulate economic growth, and attract investment to the State of Oregon.
Learn more at: www.pendletonuasrange.com
For media inquiries, contact any of the organizations listed below.
General registration: AUVSICascade.org
Investor/strategic registration: oregonuas.org
Media Contacts:
AUVSI Cascade Chapter
Lori Brown, Executive Director
LoriBrown@CascadeAUVSI.org
Oregon UAS Accelerator
Joseph Wyno, President & Executive Director
joseph@oregonuas.org
Pendleton UAS Range
Cole Rixe, Business Development Manager
cole.rixe@pendletonuasrange.com
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