Michigan Drone Association

10/09/2026

Relive the Guardian Skies Summit from Camp Grayling, 2026!

Thank you to our co-host DRONERESPONDERS and to everyone across SLTT, the Guard, Army, Air Force, Corrections, critical infrastructure, and industry who showed up and made it count. Also, a huge thank you to our 6 sponsors and 12 vendors, and to every attendee who brought their expertise and energy. We can't wait to see you again in 2027!

Watch the recap video below and don't forget to follow us for upcoming events.

10/09/2026

In the News:
Central Michigan University took to the skies for its first-ever drone light show, bringing together technology, education and innovation over Mount Pleasant.
The 10-minute show was the result of three years of research and gave CMU students hands-on experience with drone operations, safety and flight technology.
A pretty cool look at where drones can take us next.

Read the full story from https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2026-10-03/cmus-first-ever-drone-show-brightens-mount-pleasant-skies

Central Michigan University is the only university in Michigan that operates its own drone light show, according to event organizers.

10/07/2026

This month, we're introducing the communities that make up the Michigan Drone Association, starting with where it all began: Public Safety. MDA started in 2022 to connect law enforcement, fire, EMS, and emergency management agencies that were building drone programs on their own. Today, public safety members get:
-Free training for Michigan first responders (MCOLES registered, 302 Fund eligible)
- Operational Readiness Standards, the only association accreditation in Michigan
-Mutual aid and event support across jurisdictions
-The Michigan cUAS Task Force One agency membership covers everyone in your department.

Join today: https://www.midroneassoc.com/pricing-plans/list

10/05/2026

In the News: Ottawa County Sheriff's Office is back on our feed with more drone news! Project B.E.A.C.O.N. would station docked drones near Holland and Grand Haven State Parks. When a swimmer is in distress, dispatch can launch a drone straight from its dock. It finds the swimmer with thermal imaging and drops a self-inflating flotation device, with the goal of cutting response times from 10+ minutes to about two. Every minute matters on Lake Michigan.

Read more: https://uavcoach.com/docked-drones-water-rescue/

10/05/2026

REMINDER! Last chance to register!
Tune in! Our founder, Matt Rybar, joins the Public Safety Drone Review on Tuesday, October 6.

Discussions will be focused on public safety UAS, counter-UAS programs, and how agencies can collaborate, including the work happening right here in Michigan.

📅 Tuesday, October 6 | 3 PM ET
🔗 Register / watch: https://dronelife.com/2026/10/01/public-safety-drone-review-welcomes-matt-rybar-october-6/

Join the Public Safety Drone Review October 6 at 3 p.m. ET with Matt Rybar: public safety UAS, counter-UAS, and agency collaboration.

10/04/2026

REMINDER!!!
Tune in! Our founder, Matt Rybar, joins the Public Safety Drone Review on Tuesday, October 6.

Discussions will be focused on public safety UAS, counter-UAS programs, and how agencies can collaborate, including the work happening right here in Michigan.

📅 Tuesday, October 6 | 3 PM ET
🔗 Register / watch: https://dronelife.com/2026/10/01/public-safety-drone-review-welcomes-matt-rybar-october-6/

Join the Public Safety Drone Review October 6 at 3 p.m. ET with Matt Rybar: public safety UAS, counter-UAS, and agency collaboration.

10/02/2026

Tune in! Our founder, Matt Rybar, joins the Public Safety Drone Review on Tuesday, October 6.

Discussions will be focused on public safety UAS, counter-UAS programs, and how agencies can collaborate, including the work happening right here in Michigan.

📅 Tuesday, October 6 | 3 PM ET
🔗 Register / watch: https://dronelife.com/2026/10/01/public-safety-drone-review-welcomes-matt-rybar-october-6/

Join the Public Safety Drone Review October 6 at 3 p.m. ET with Matt Rybar: public safety UAS, counter-UAS, and agency collaboration.

09/30/2026

What made this year special was the people: First responders, pilots, educators, industry partners, and drone enthusiasts from across Michigan, all learning from each other at Camp Grayling. Thank you for showing up, sharing your knowledge, and building this community with us.

Stay tuned, because we'll be recognizing some of our amazing vendors and partners individually in the coming weeks!

09/29/2026

In the News: The Ottawa County Sheriff's Office is showing how drones could change emergency response along the lakeshore. Their proposed Project B.E.A.C.O.N. would station drone "hives" near Holland and Grand Haven State Parks. The drones can launch automatically, find a struggling swimmer with thermal cameras, and drop a flotation device, which could cut rescue response times from 10+ minutes to under four.

This is drone-as-first-responder done close to home.
Read more: https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/local/ottawa-county-sheriffs-office-new-drone-technology/69-39847885-aca9-42d6-afed-2b7a04e64a1a

The presentation focuses on gaining funding and exposure for project B.E.A.C.O.N.

09/25/2026

That’s a wrap on the 2026 Guardian Skies Summit!
We’re so grateful to everyone who came out and attended this year’s event. A huge thank you to our vendors, partners, speakers, and everyone who helped make the Summit possible. And a special thank you to Camp Grayling for hosting us!

Here are a few photos from this year’s Summit. We’ll be sharing more highlights and moments from the event on Monday.

Happy weekend from your friends at the Michigan Drone Association!