US aviation industry leaders, policymakers, educators, and innovators will gather in Monterey, CA, March 31–April 2 for the LIFT Summit, the state’s premier forum for collaboration across the low-altitude economy. Hosted by Monterey Bay DART, the annual event focuses on the future of advanced air mobility (AAM) and uncrewed aerial systems (UAS). 

The summit takes place at the Monterey Conference Center, with an opening reception at the Monterey Jet Center, bus tours and live flight demonstrations at Airspace Integration UAS Test Range, La Selva Beach and Marina Municipal Airport. 

Summit participants include technology developers, airport and transportation leaders, government representatives, defense partners, educational institutions, and economic development organizations. 

Key presenters and panelists include:

• Samuel Assefa, Director, Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation
• Emily Warren, Deputy Sec. for Innovative Mobility, California State Transportation Agency
• Parimal Kopardekar (PK), Program Dir., Airspace Operations and Safety Program, NASA
• Huy Tran, Director of Aeronautics at NASA Ames Research Center
• Michael Sanders, Dir. of the Center for Advanced Aviation Technologies
• Kenji Sugahra, Director Oregon Department of Aviation and National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO)
• Dean Donovan, Managing Director, Diamond Stream Partners
• Aviation Executives from Joby Aviation, Wisk, BETA, Elroy Air, Ampaire, ANRA, Future Flight Global, ResilienX, Skyway, Woolpert, SFO, SJC and more. 
• For a complete list of presenters and panelists visit the Summit website. 

Over three days, the event spotlights initiatives and technologies shaping the next generation of aviation. Attendees have the unique opportunity to interact with forerunners in aerial innovation. For a complete conference agenda visit the Summit website.

Event schedule highlights include:

• VIP Opening Reception — March 31, 5:00 PM-8:00PM

Hosted at the Monterey Jet Center, this reception offers sponsors, speakers, and VIP guests exclusive access to industry executives and aviation pioneers.

• Expo Day — March 31, 7:00 AM–5:00 PM

A full-day immersive experience featuring airfield tours and live flight demonstrations from leading AAM and UAS companies. 

• Conference Days — April 1–2, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM

Two days of keynote presentations, expert panels, and workshops addressing workforce readiness, infrastructure, policy frameworks, airspace integration, and economic growth in the low-altitude economy.

• Networking Reception — April 1, 5:00 PM–7:00 PM

A high-level networking event connecting industry leaders, government officials, educators, and innovators.

“The summit emphasizes implementation,” said Josh Metz, DART Executive Director. “When industry, education, and government align around concrete next steps, we move beyond discussion and drive measurable progress for advanced air mobility in California and the nation.”

As advanced air mobility continues to gain momentum nationwide, the LIFT Summit underscores Monterey Bay’s growing role as a hub for next-generation aviation, promoting  innovation, testing, and partnership.

For more information about the LIFT Summit, including registration and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.mbdart.org/summit.