Elon Drone Day takes flight with record attendance

The Oct. 31 program offered attendees hands-on demonstrations and discussions on how drones are reshaping industries from agriculture to public safety. New features this year included a lively drone soccer showcase by Asheboro City Schools and expanded sessions on AI applications, weather data, and flight authorization technology.

Nick Bogert of Raven Advisory talks with a drone in the foreground. — Nick Bogert of Raven Advisory (center, with remote) leads a demonstration on South Campus during the 2025 Elon Drone Day. Held on Oct. 31, the daylong program attracted 185 attendees. Photo by Aidan Blake ’26.

With a record 185 participants, the 2025 Elon Drone Day once again filled the School of Communications with the buzz of unmanned aircraft systems. The annual event, hosted Oct. 31 in partnership with NC AUVSI, brought together recreational and commercial pilots, transportation and safety officials, educators, students, and community members to explore innovations, safety practices, and career pathways in the growing drone industry.

After a one-year hiatus, Elon Drone Day returned for its fourth edition since launching in 2021. The daylong event featured presentations from industry experts representing Raven Advisory, Wing, Vets to Drones, TruWeather Solutions, Aloft, and PAC Aerial Application. Participants learned how drones are transforming industries – from agriculture and meteorology to logistics and public safety – while also discussing certification pathways and ethical considerations.

Students compete in drone soccer at Elon University — Three Asheboro City Schools students compete in a fast-paced drone soccer match inside the Snow Family Grand Atrium. The demonstration introduced attendees to the growing sport and showcased the precision and teamwork involved in piloting drones in enclosed arenas. Photo by Ethan Wu ’27.

Elon Drone Day photos are available on the school’s Flickr page.

One of this year’s most popular additions was a drone soccer demonstration by Asheboro City Schools, which competed at the U.S. Drone Soccer National Championship in May. The Asheboro High School students filled Snow Family Grand Atrium with aerial excitement as two teams competed inside an enclosed drone soccer “arena” – provided by North Carolina State University – showcasing both their precision flying and the growing popularity of competitive drone sports.

“Bringing in Asheboro’s drone soccer teams was the perfect way to show what the next generation of pilots can do,” said Randy Piland, associate teaching professor of communication design and Elon Drone Day organizer. “There was tremendous energy in the room – students, industry professionals and community members all learning from one another.”

Piland said he strives each year to make Drone Day fresh and engaging.

“We started off thinking about Drone Day as a way to get like-minded people together to share knowledge about drones and go over safe practices and regulations,” he said. “Now we’ve expanded it to talk about careers and applications. It’s a way to help educate those interested in the field.”

This year’s lineup reflected that broader focus. Preston Cave of PAC Aerial Application highlighted how drones can transform agriculture, using a $38,000 aircraft to apply fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides for farmers. Other presenters discussed drone use in public safety, artificial intelligence, meteorology and flight authorization systems.

Piland credited the event’s success to collaboration across the School of Communications and its industry partners. He personally thanked Alyssa Donohue, program assistant in the School of Communications, for her support in organizing the event.

“The vendors make all the difference,” Piland added. “Without them, it would be a traditional lecture-style event. They’re the ones who bring the technology to life. We’re proud to provide a space that connects industry leaders and enthusiasts — and keeps people coming back each year.”

Among those benefiting from the hands-on experience was Ali Steele ’27, a computer science major enrolled in Piland’s new Drones and Society course, which combines practical flight projects with discussions of ethics, privacy, and the broader impact of drone technology. Steele volunteered as an assistant during the event and, according to Piland, even discovered a potential job lead while speaking with one of the vendors.

“The goal is to make Drone Day an extension of the classroom,” Piland said. “It’s about seeing what’s possible when education, technology and creativity come together.”