AUVSI 2013 Annual Report.Pdf
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2 0 1 3 ANNUAL REPORT MESSAGE FROM AUVSI PRESIDENT & CEO, MICHAEL TOSCANO AUVSI and the worldwide unmanned systems and robotics community had another banner year in 2013, as the promise of airspace integration grew closer and more people came to know of the many benefits such systems can bring to the table. Both the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and European regulators released roadmaps that call for greater use of unmanned systems, eventually moving to full integration. AUVSI has continued its call for the FAA and other agencies to move as rapidly as possible to safely open the airspace to these systems to benefit humanity and help the industry grow. We continue to be the “go to” resource on Capitol Hill, in the media and with key unmanned systems decision makers. To help highlight the benefits of unmanned aircraft, we continued our outreach efforts by sponsoring “road show” events in several U.S. states, to highlight how integration — particularly in the field of agriculture — could benefit them through increased efficiency and new jobs. This information was contained in AUVSI’s first economic impact report highlighting jobs growth in the United States once full integration is achieved. In the first three years after integration, the economic impact will top $13.6 billion, climbing to more than $82.1 billion during the first decade. Most of that will be derived from the agriculture market, and we expect to see similar numbers worldwide as the technology continues to tackle dull, dirty, dangerous and difficult jobs. We again enjoyed increased attendance at AUVSI’s Unmanned Systems 2013. For 2014, we are moving the show to May, and our popular AUVSI’s Unmanned Systems Program Review will shift to November. We also took AUVSI’s great programming to Europe when we hosted AUVSI’s Unmanned Systems Europe conference in Köln, Germany, this past October. We were able to bring together international leaders to discuss UAS integration throughout the world. AUVSI continues to be at the forefront of automated vehicle technology, working to bring together the various companies and individuals in this growing section of our industry. We hosted another successful Driverless Car Summit in Detroit, which featured a great lineup of speakers and some excellent presentations, and we’ll be following it up with another event in the summer of 2014. AUVSI’s chapters continued their growth in 2013, including hosting several successful events of their own around the country and the world. Belonging to a chapter is an excellent way to get involved with unmanned systems and robotics at the local community level. However you do it, we urge you to get involved with us as we continue to advance the promise of this world-changing technology. Best regards, Michael Toscano, President & CEO, AUVSI 2013 ACHIEVEMENTS Worldwide membership numbers hit a record high with 600 corporate members and more than 7,500 individual members AUVSI’s Unmanned Systems 2013 featured more than 8,000 attendees from over 55 countries and more than 550 exhibitors Student competitions in air, ground and maritime had participation from 118 student teams from across the globe Continued to work with Members of Congress and the FAA on the implementation of the UAS sections of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 Joined the FAA’s UAS Aviation Rulemaking Committee and served on multiple working groups Continued to serve on the International Civil Aviation Organization UAS Study Group Testified at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on UAS privacy issues Testified at a House Transportation and Infrastructure Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee hearing on UAS in maritime domain awareness Testified at multiple state legislative hearings on UAS economic and privacy issues Released a report entitled, “The Economic Impact of Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration in the United States” AUVSI was quoted or cited in more than 550 media interviews and continued its public education website, including adding interviews with prominent unmanned systems users. 2 AUVSI’s webinar series continued, focusing on unmanned systems and robotics issues TABLE OF CONTENTS ADVOCACY AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS .................................................................... 4 KNOWLEDGE .............................................................................................................. 6 NETWORKING EVENTS ................................................................................................. 6 AUVSI FOUNDATION/STUDENT COMPETITIONS ................................................................ 9 MEMBERSHIP AND CHAPTERS .......................................................................................10 COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS .......................................................................15 AUVSI BOARD OF DIRECTORS & STAFF ............................................................................18 ABOUT AUVSI AUVSI represents more than 7,500 individual members and 600 corporate members from 60+ countries involved in the fields of government, industry and academia. AUVSI members work in the defense, civil and commercial markets. By providing opportunities for information exchange, networking and business development, AUVSI forums are the best resource for learning about unmanned systems and robotics while staying abreast of the latest program and technology updates. AUVSI MISSION STATEMENT Advancing the unmanned systems and robotics community through education, advocacy and leadership. AUVSI VISION STATEMENT To improve humanity by enabling the global use of robotic technology in everyday lives. 3 ADVOCACY AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS In 2013, AUVSI continued to build its brand with elected officials, federal agencies, federal and state regulators, and industry stakeholders. In addition to focusing on accelerating UAS access in the National Airspace System, AUVSI is also working on issues affecting the ground and maritime domains. Some of our accomplishments include: Held our annual AUVSI Day on Capitol Hill in conjunction with National Robotics Week. AUVSI Hill Day 2013 had: • 97 attendees • 102 Meetings were scheduled for AUVSI members • 21 companies exhibited • Members of Congress and more than 200 staff attended reception Provided increased visibility and presence on Capitol Hill with the following congressional committees: • Appropriations • Armed Services • Homeland Security • Transportation and Infrastructure • Commerce • Oversight and Government Reform • Science, Space and Technology Developed synergies with the Airborne Law Enforcement Association, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Tactical Officers Association, National Sheriff’s Association and the Management Association for Private Photogrammetric Surveyors to oppose anti-UAS legislation Leveraged mutual constituencies at the state level by: • Launching a grassroots campaign and providing template letters to AUVSI members encouraging them to write their state legislators and oppose anti-UAS legislation • Providing legislative alternatives to anti-UAS legislation in many states • Submitting a letter from Michael Toscano and Gretchen West urging the governors to oppose anti-UAS legislation • Lobbying various state delegations on Capitol Hill to convey opposition to state anti-UAS legislation Visited the state legislatures in Colorado, Florida, Kentucky, Michigan, and Virginia and lobbied many other states AUVSI engaged its members, chapters and stakeholders to oppose anti-UAS legislation at the state level. To date: • Nine states have passed anti-UAS legislation • 20 states have defeated anti-UAS legislation • Six states have decided to resume their respective bills until the beginning of their second session in 2014 • Seven states have legislation in play Continued to serve on the International Civil Aviation Organization UAS Study Group Continued to serve on the NextGen Institute Management Council, which is comprised of the CEOs of the top aviation associations. The institute provides industry guidance to the Joint Planning and Development Office Joined the FAA’s UAS Aviation Rulemaking Committee as a full member, and continue to serve as subject area expert on working groups Worked closely with the Congressional Unmanned Systems Caucus and the Senate Unmanned Aircraft Systems Caucus Supported the House Unmanned Systems Caucus Technology Fair and hosted a reception following the event Advocated for positive UAS language in the 2014 House National Defense Authorization Act, the 2014 Senate Transportation Housing and Urban Development Appropriation Act and the House 2014 Transportation Housing and Urban Development Appropriation Act Filed comments with the FAA on their UAS test site privacy plan Testified at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on UAS privacy issues Testified at a House Transportation and Infrastructure Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee hearing on UAS in maritime domain awareness Testified before the House Standing Committee on Judiciary at the Kentucky General Assembly to discuss unmanned 4 aircraft systems Worked closely with the House Judiciary Committee on their UAS privacy hearing Worked closely with the House Science, Space & Technology Committee hearing on UAS research needs and gaps Closely tracked all federal and state UAS legislation relating to privacy concerns Released a UAS Privacy Statement outlining AUVSI’s position on UAS privacy issues, after soliciting feedback from all AUVSI members Continued