Advancing Tennessee’s Leadership in Drone and AAM Integration

October 14, 2025

Tennessee continues to strengthen its position as a leader in uncrewed and autonomous aviation. The Tennessee Drone and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Symposium, organized by state and local partners, will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and public safety professionals to align on the policies and partnerships needed to sustain safe, scalable growth. 

As a Bronze Tier sponsor, AUVSI is proud to support this regional initiative and contribute our perspective to Tennessee’s growing drone and AAM ecosystem. Our engagement reflects AUVSI’s mission to advocate for policies that enable innovation while maintaining the highest standards of safety and security. 

AUVSI’s participation will connect Tennessee’s industry and government stakeholders with broader national efforts, including our recent recommendations to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on enabling Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations. Submitted on October 6, these recommendations call for a clear, performance-based BVLOS rule that strengthens safety, streamlines approvals, and maintains U.S. competitiveness. 

Routine BVLOS operations are essential to expanding missions in logistics, energy, infrastructure, and emergency response. These sectors are central to Tennessee’s economic and operational priorities. By aligning our advocacy with state-level initiatives, AUVSI is helping ensure that emerging federal regulations reflect real-world needs and support integration across all regions. 

A Platform for Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing 

The Tennessee Drone and AAM Symposium continues to evolve, building on participant feedback to deliver an expanded agenda, new networking opportunities, and a central Nashville location that increases accessibility for stakeholders throughout the region. Sessions will explore the state’s expanding drone ecosystem, infrastructure planning for AAM, safety and certification pathways, and policy initiatives designed to enable sustainable growth. 

For AUVSI, the symposium provides a valuable opportunity to collaborate with state and local partners, strengthen relationships with regional innovators, and advance the shared goal of preparing communities for connected skies. Our participation highlights how AUVSI members are driving progress in safety standards, workforce development, and operational best practices that set the foundation for national growth. 

Join Us in Nashville 

AUVSI encourages members and partners to participate in this important regional dialogue. Whether you are exploring new business opportunities, building public-private partnerships, or helping shape the policies that will define the next era of flight, the Tennessee Drone and AAM Symposium offers a meaningful forum to learn, collaborate, and lead.