Bolton Valley, VT, Saturday, May 07, 2016 at 1pm — Northern New England’s first International Drone Day event opens to the public to celebrate drones and educate the public on their positive uses.
‘International Drone Day’ was first celebrated in 2015, with over 40,000 people in 50 countries taking part. The second ‘International Drone Day’ on Saturday, May 07, 2016 is expected to be even larger than last year with over 50 new events taking place, including Northern New England Drone User Group’s first International Drone Day celebration!
Drones sometimes get an unfair rap but International Drone Day 2016 wants to set the record straight and cut through the hysteria. Hundreds of events are being held throughout the world to educate those outside of the drone community about the many positive ways in which drones are currently being used to benefit society. We’ll also show and talk about what the near and distant future holds. The mantra of everyone taking part is “Drones are Good!”
In partnership with the Academy of Model Aeronautics ‘AMA’ and UVM Spatial Analysis Lab, the Northern New England Drone User Group’s International Drone Day event includes drone racing, aerial photography & videography instruction, equipment & gear demos, safe & responsible usage demo, regulations discussion, question & answer session and a search & rescue demonstration.
All events are open to the public and press, with photographs, filming and interviews welcome.
Northern New England Drone User Group International Drone Day event organizer, Steve Mermelstein of South Burlington, Vermont comments: “Drones are just starting to ‘take off’ in Vermont and there are no signs of anything but ever increasing demand and popularity. Our members are very passionate about drones and teaching safe and respectful usage. On International Drone Day we are planning to share our experiences and expertise with Vermonters and others throughout New England. We will be demonstrating current uses, how the technology is quickly changing, and how many of these changes focus on safety and security. Many people in Vermont already realize that consumer drones are vastly different from military drones and the fake, science-fiction version that has been popularized by TV. We hope to cut through the hysteria and show how drones will safely play a significant role, improving everyone’s future. We are specifically holding this event to reach and educate those that maybe still misinformed and fearful of the technology. We hope people will come out to see the realities of real life drones.”
International Drone Day was originally founded by Sarah and David Oneal, of “That Drone Show” in Los Angeles, California. They comment: “International Drone Day is hosted by the drone community for the public. It’s an opportunity for people that have heard of drones to find out more about them. As a result of International Drone Day 2015, vast numbers of people now understand that drones are used in good ways – from being used to save lives in search and rescue, to providing more efficient ways to monitor crops, to producing beautiful photographs. International Drone Day also highlights the much needed economic boost provided by drones, and shows that drones are fun!”
We would love you to attend an International Drone Day event. The Northern New England Drone User Group event is the only of it’s kind in Northern New England and Vermont and will take place at Bolton Valley (4302 Bolton Valley Access Road, Bolton Valley, VT 05477) from 1–5pm on Saturday May 7th. The event is free and fun for the entire family! All are welcome!
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The Northern New England Drone User Group is an affiliate of the Drone User Group Network. The Community Based Organization promotes the use of civilian drone technology for the benefit of humanity. The Northern New England Drone User Group has over 250 drone enthusiasts, makers, engineers, scientists, educators, and entrepreneurs in the greater New England area. Its mission is to promote the safe and responsible use of small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS or more commonly known as Drones), and to educate the public about the positive role these devices can serve in our society. Learn more at: http://nnedug.org
The Northern New England Drone User Group International Drone Day event is led by Steve Mermelstein. Steve Mermelstein is recognized for his expertise in small Unmanned Aerial Systems, aerial photography & cinematography drones, search & rescue, and innovative unmanned projects. He has received grants and distinguished industry awards. The media and press regularly rely on him for his insight and expertise on drones and unmanned aircraft. Learn more at: https://vtdrone.com
Also exhibiting is the UVM Spatial Analysis Lab, a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Lab, at the University of Vermont that specializes in performing object based image analysis for various organizations across the country. In addition, it uses UAS technologies in disaster response, volume estimations, and infrastructure inspections to aid town planners, educators, and government agencies for planning and monitoring of local events. One of their long-term projects involved monitoring coarse woody debris movement in the Great Brook in Plainfield, VT. Learn more at: http://www.uvm.edu/rsenr/sal/
Other exhibitors and sponsors of the Northern New England Drone User Group International Drone Day event are AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics), Lowepro, Joby, BTV Drones, VTDrone.com, UVM Spatial Analysis Lab.
– The AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics) has stood for safety in the model aircraft community for decades. Learn more at: http://www.modelaircraft.org/
– Lowepro, a leading maker of camera bags/cases and has released a new line specifically for drones. Learn more at: http://www.lowepro.com/
– Joby, a leading maker of accessories for cameras and action cameras. Learn more at: http://joby.com/
– BTV Drones offers aerial photography and videography solutions as well as repairs and sales. Learn more at: http://www.btvdrones.com/
– VTDrone.com is an art project by Steve Mermelstein, a photography workshop instructor, award-winning commercial, event, and aerial photographer based in South Burlington, Vermont. Learn more at: https://vtdrone.com/
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
Key points:
– The goal of is to educate the public that “drones are good” by highlighting their positive applications
– Over 150 teams in 50 countries are taking part
– All events are free and open to the press and public
– International Drone Day 2016 is Saturday 7 May 2016
– More than 40,000 people in 150 countries participated in International Drone Day 2015
Event web site:
http://www.meetup.com/Northern-New-England-Drone-Users-Group/events/230336685/
Press contact information for International Drone Day:
Northern New England Drone User Group, http://nnedug.org
Steve Mermelstein
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: (802) 735-2005
Positive uses of drones include:
• Journalism and news coverage
• Search and Rescue, Law Enforcement, Security, Firefighting, and HAZMAT Response/Cleanup
• Environmental compliance, environmental studies/research, counting/monitoring wildlife, etc.
• Farming/Agriculture
• Making art (e.g. landscape, nature, or wildlife photography and cinematography)
• Aerial photography of real estate or other property
• Filming TV Shows/Movies and Internet videos
• STEM and STEAM
• Sports
• Surveying or inspecting property or infrastructure.
• Delivery of medical supplies, food, and parcel in the future\
Social media hashtags:
#NNEDroneDay
#dronesaregood
#IDD16
#internationaldroneday
