APSCON | Airborne Public Safety Association 2026
Event Date
July 13–17, 2026
Location
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryAPSCON, the Airborne Public Safety Association (APSA) Annual Conference and Exposition, is the flagship gathering for the public safety aviation community. The Airborne Public Safety Association proudly presents the best in manned and unmanned public safety aviation education and networking, all in one location, with APSCON 2026 and APSCON Unmanned 2026 taking place concurrently in Ft. Lauderdale, FL the week of July 13-17. The two events are conducted as separate educational events with a shared exhibit hall, giving attendees access to industry-leading training, products and services no matter what type of aircraft they operate.
The show is designed for professionals involved in public safety aviation, airborne law enforcement, emergency response, and unmanned systems operations, including public safety pilots, tactical flight officers, aviation administrators, mechanics, unit commanders, government officials, instructors, trainers, aeromedical professionals, safety leaders, UAS operators, and industry representatives.
Why attend? APSA offers conference courses and classes presented by public safety aviation subject matter experts, while the exhibit hall showcases the latest, cutting-edge technology and provides an opportunity to network with peers and connect exhibitors with aviation unit decision-makers and end users. Association leadership describes it as the flagship event that everyone in public safety aviation wants to attend.
Show Highlights
- Concurrent manned and unmanned programs: The event includes the concurrent APSCON Unmanned program focused on public safety drone operations, UAS training, and counter-drone measures, conducted as separate educational events while sharing the same exhibit hall.
- Specialized training courses: Conference courses run Monday through Wednesday and include programs such as the Aviation Safety Officer Course, Aviation Unit Manager Course, Fixed-Wing Operator Course, Tactical Flight Officer-Airborne Thermographer Certification Course, and Safety Management Systems Course.
- General sessions: Additional conference classes and general sessions run on Thursday and Friday, covering topics including safety, search and rescue, homeland security, legal and regulatory issues, and fixed-wing operations.
- Unmanned track: On the unmanned side, courses include the public safety drone operators course, drone unit manager course, UAS proctor course based on the NIST test methods, and counter-drone course.
- Exhibit hall and aircraft: The exhibition hall showcases products and services for public safety aviation operations, training, safety, and aviation unit support, and the exhibit hall opening reception, sponsored by Bell Textron, takes place on Wednesday evening. Organizers noted strong vendor interest, with the number of helicopters on display already up to 16.
Booth Pricing
Published booth prices are not listed publicly; pricing is detailed in the official exhibitor prospectus. As a Corporate Member, exhibitors receive discounted booth pricing, recognition in the annual Air Beat Buyer's Guide, and APSCON advertising opportunities. Per the exhibitor deadline schedule, the balance of the booth fee is due January 31, 2026.
Registration
Registration is now open. Registration options are available for full conference attendance, one-day conference passes, conference courses, and APSCON Unmanned courses and classes, and APSA members receive discounted registration pricing across conference and course options. Student and family member registration categories are also available for qualifying attendees, and advance registration discounts are available for eligible registrations completed before the published deadlines. Conference attendees may cancel registrations for a full refund if written notice is received by APSA before the stated cancellation deadlines, after which administrative fees apply. Register through the official APSCON pages at publicsafetyaviation.org/apscon/.
History
The Airborne Public Safety Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, educational, individual membership organization, founded in 1968 to support and encourage the use of aircraft in public safety, and is currently over 3,000 members strong from the international to the local level. APSCON / APSCON Unmanned 2026 is APSA's 55th Annual Conference and Expo. APSA started a second unmanned show several years ago (a public safety drone expo) and ran three or four versions of it, and when it was brought back in 2022, the association decided to combine the two events rather than hold a separate one. Recent host cities include Houston, TX (2024) and Phoenix, AZ (2025); upcoming editions are set for Reno, NV in 2027 (July 19-23) and New Orleans, LA in 2028 (July 17-21).
Venue & Travel
Venue
Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center
1950 Eisenhower Blvd.
The Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center is a waterfront venue near Port Everglades. The center offers a total of 800,000 sq ft of space, including 350,000 sq ft of exhibit space. The venue has been undergoing a $1.3 billion expansion, with a second phase encompassing a total of 1.2 million sq ft of space, a 65,000 sq ft waterfront ballroom, a 6-acre outdoor tropical plaza, and an 801-room Omni headquarter hotel with a water taxi and yacht charter dock. The convention center holds LEED Gold certification for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance and was the first convention center in Florida to be LEED certified.
Parking
If you plan to arrive by car or ride-share, the parking garage is located at 1950 Eisenhower Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316; rates are subject to change and no overnight parking is allowed. Convention center parking is conveniently connected to the Northport Parking Garage through covered skywalks, with skybridge access on the second floor, though parking fees and access may vary by event. Additional nearby options include the Heron Garage and the E. Clay Shaw (17th Street) lots within about 0.2 miles.
Getting There
The Broward County Convention Center is roughly a 15-minute drive from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). The center is located in Fort Lauderdale just off I-95 and a short drive from the airport, making it easily accessible from anywhere in the area. Rideshare drop-off is available at the parking garage entrance. A convenient extra: right outside the convention center there is a water taxi that takes you to restaurants, bars, parks, and shopping areas.
Nearby Hotels
- Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel — Built in 2025, the brand new Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel features a full-service spa, an outdoor pool, and a 24-hour gym; it is connected to the convention center and hosts additional APSCON events.
- Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina — the closest hotel to the Broward County Convention Center, located less than half a mile away, overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway with waterfront rooms, a large pool, and on-site marina dining.
- Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Marina Hotel — features an outdoor pool, a 24-hour gym, and free WiFi in public areas.
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Fort Lauderdale 17th Street — offers an outdoor pool, a 24-hour gym, and WiFi in public areas, along 17th Street near the venue.
- Pier Sixty-Six (Pier 66) — offers a marina, 3 outdoor pools, and a gym.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is APSCON 2026 taking place?
APSCON and APSCON Unmanned 2026 take place July 13-17, 2026 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Events are held at the Broward County Convention Center and the Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel.
Who should attend APSCON?
The event is designed for professionals in public safety aviation, airborne law enforcement, emergency response, and unmanned systems. Attendees include pilots, tactical flight officers, aviation administrators, mechanics, unit commanders, instructors, aeromedical professionals, UAS operators, and industry representatives.
What is the difference between APSCON and APSCON Unmanned?
APSCON focuses on manned public safety aviation, while APSCON Unmanned focuses on public safety drone operations, UAS training, and counter-drone measures. They run concurrently as separate educational events but share the same exhibit hall and several networking activities.
How do I register for APSCON 2026?
Registration is open through the official APSCON pages at publicsafetyaviation.org/apscon/. Options include full conference passes, one-day passes, and individual conference courses, with discounted pricing for APSA members and categories for students and family members.
What makes APSCON worth attending?
APSCON offers training courses and classes taught by industry subject matter experts, plus an exhibit hall showcasing the latest public safety aviation and drone technology. It is regarded as the flagship event of the public safety aviation community and a key opportunity to network with peers and vendors.
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