Ft. Lauderdale, FL, United States — July 09, 2026 — The Airborne Public Safety Association (APSA) will convene its 55th Annual Conference and Exposition, APSCON 2026, in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, starting July 13, 2026. This year's event follows APSCON 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona, and builds on the momentum of past editions. APSCON 2023 in Orlando, FL, attracted at least 1,500 attendees and approximately 175 exhibitors, featuring up to 15 aircraft on display, while APSCON 2024 in Houston, TX, saw over 1,500 attendees and 154 vendors, including a record 14 helicopters.
Event Scale and Organizing Body
APSCON 2026 marks the 55th annual iteration of this significant industry event, dedicated to the public safety aviation sector, encompassing both manned and unmanned aircraft operations. The primary organizing body is the Airborne Public Safety Association (APSA), an organization focused on education, training, and networking for professionals in this field. APSA's headquarters are located at 50 Carroll Creek Way, Suite 260, Frederick, MD 21701. The association, formerly known as the Airborne Law Enforcement Association (ALEA) before rebranding approximately six years prior to 2024, plays a crucial role in bringing together key stakeholders.
Exhibition Focus: Manned and Unmanned Systems
The Exhibition Overview will feature two core exhibit sectors. The first, Manned Public Safety Aviation Technology & Services, will showcase helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and specialized equipment for emergency response, law enforcement aviation, search and rescue, and aeromedical operations. This sector will cover advanced avionics, communication systems, surveillance equipment, and aviation safety solutions.
The second sector, Unmanned Systems (UAS/Drones) & Counter-Drone Solutions, reflects the growing integration of drone technology in public safety. This area will include public safety drone operations, UAS program management, and counter-drone measures. Exhibitors will present a range of UAS platforms, sensors, and data analytics software. Specific examples of technologies to be featured include Airborne Video Downlink Systems (AVDS) and components like AeroLink, Aero5, Mobile Commander, Playout Server, CIRAS-X6, and LinkMatrix. The concurrent APSCON Unmanned event will further highlight this focus.
Professional Development and Industry Engagement
APSCON 2026 will target a broad spectrum of public safety aviation professionals, including Public Safety Pilots, Tactical Flight Officers, Mechanics, Aviation Administrators, and UAS Operators. The event will provide extensive educational opportunities through conference courses and classes. These include the Aviation Safety Officer Course, Aviation Unit Manager Course, Fixed-Wing Operator Course, Tactical Flight Officer-Airborne Thermographer Certification Course, Flight Instructor Refresher Course, and Safety Management Systems Course. Attendees can also participate in technical sessions, networking activities, and "TECH TALK Briefing Schedules." Major B2B global brands, such as Vislink and Teledyne FLIR, have frequently participated in past editions.
Further details on the program and registration are available at https://publicsafetyaviation.org/events/conferences-expos/.