Agenda
October 6–7, 2026
Grand Forks, North Dakota
Two days of operational discussions, collaboration, matchmaking, technology demonstrations, and deployment-focused engagement.
Event Highlights
Invitation Only
Limited to 200 Participants
U.S.-Canada Participation
Operational Collaboration & Matchmaking Workshop
Pilot & Testing Opportunities
90-Day Execution Pipeline
What You Will Leave With
Curated partner introductions
Identified pilot and testing opportunities
Defined deployment pathways
Collaboration opportunity brief-out report
90-Day execution roadmap
Ongoing matchmaking support
Day 1: Strategic Context, Operational Challenges & Ecosystem Building
October 6, 2026
Day 1 Morning | 08:00 – 12:45
08:00 – 09:00
Registration & Coffee Networking
Coffee, pastries, fruit, and informal networking.
09:00 – 09:10
Welcome Remarks
Jean-Marc Sheitoyan, PMP — Program Director, Counter-UAS Bootcamp
09:10 – 09:20
Event Orientation
Alexandre Joyce, PhD — Master of Ceremonies
09:20 – 09:40
Keynote Address
Invited Senior Military Leader
09:40 – 10:20
The Evolving UAS & Counter-UAS Threat Environment
Lessons from Ukraine, the Middle East, FPV drones, AI-enabled threats, and emerging operational trends.
10:20 – 10:35
Networking Break
Open networking.
10:35 – 11:20
Operator Perspectives Panel
Military, government, and critical infrastructure stakeholders discuss capability gaps and operational challenges.
Moderated by Mr. Jim Falasco, Director of Strategic Business, AeroGear Telemetry.
11:20 – 11:45
Grand Forks Ecosystem Spotlight
Featuring Grand Forks AFB, the Point Defense Battle Lab, GrandSKY, UND, Camp Grafton, and regional innovation partners.
11:45 – 12:45
Networking Lunch
Curated seating and strategic introductions.
Signature Session: Operational Collaboration & Matchmaking Workshop
Day 1 Afternoon | 13:00 – 17:00
The centerpiece of Day 1. This facilitated workshop combines operational challenge identification, structured networking, capability mapping, matchmaking, and opportunity development to accelerate pilots, partnerships, testing opportunities, and deployment.
Hosted by Alexandre Joyce, PhD, Lead Workshop Facilitator
13:00 – 13:20
Operational Challenge Framing
Participants identify the most significant barriers preventing faster Counter-UAS adoption, testing, and deployment.
13:20 – 14:00
Structured Speed Networking
Facilitated introductions designed to rapidly connect operators, technology providers, integrators, academia, government, and investors around identified operational challenges.
14:00 – 14:45
Operational Use Cases
Base Protection · Critical Infrastructure · Border Security · Arctic Operations · Expeditionary Operations
Participants identify needs, capability gaps, and deployment requirements.
14:45 – 15:00
Networking Break
Open networking.
15:00 – 15:40
Capability & Ecosystem Mapping
Participants identify operational needs, technology capabilities, testing resources, funding opportunities, and deployment enablers across the ecosystem.
15:40 – 16:20
Curated Matchmaking & Collaboration Formation
Participants form collaborative groups around pilot, testing, experimentation, and deployment initiatives.
16:20 – 17:00
Collaboration Opportunity Brief-Outs & Day 1 Wrap-Up
Teams present operational challenges, solution pathways, stakeholder requirements, pilot opportunities, and next steps toward deployment.
Evening Networking Reception
Day 1 Evening | 18:30 – 21:30
Cocktail reception featuring strategic introductions, food stations, sponsor recognition, and live acoustic entertainment designed to foster strategic conversations and relationship building.
Hosted Introductions
Facilitated introductions between key stakeholders based on Operational Collaboration & Matchmaking outcomes.
Cocktail Reception
Food stations, refreshments, and informal networking designed to encourage continued dialogue and new connections.
Sponsor Recognition
Recognition of organizations supporting the Bootcamp and its mission.
Special Performance
Live acoustic entertainment.
Day 2: Technology, Partnerships & Deployment Acceleration
October 7, 2026
Day 2 Morning | 08:00 – 12:45
08:00 – 09:00
Coffee Networking
Coffee, pastries, fruit, and informal networking.
09:00 – 09:10
Day 2 Kickoff
Alexandre Joyce, PhD — Master of Ceremonies
Review of Day 1 observations, collaboration opportunities, and Day 2 objectives.
09:10 – 10:20
Technology & Innovation Spotlights
Counter-UAS, Artificial Intelligence, Autonomy, Sensors, Electronic Warfare, Directed Energy, and UAS Integration.
Featured Innovation Speaker:
Dr. Alain L. Bujold, PhD, DBA, Founder & CEO, Bujold Innovation LABS19 LLC
Nature-Inspired Innovation for Future Counter-UAS and UAS Systems
10:20 – 10:35
Networking Break
Open networking.
10:35 – 11:45
Industry Demonstrations & Capability Showcases
Selected companies present technologies and capabilities to military, government, and industry stakeholders.
11:45 – 12:45
Networking Lunch
Curated seating and strategic introductions.
Day 2 Afternoon | 13:00 – 16:30
13:00 – 13:45
Pilot, Testing & Experimentation Opportunities Roundtable
Discussion of capability gaps, testing opportunities, acquisition pathways, and deployment requirements.
13:45 – 15:15
Deployment Readiness Review Panel
Military, government, industry, and investment stakeholders assess pilot, testing, and deployment opportunities from Day 1 and provide operational, technical, acquisition, and partnership feedback.
Panel Member:
LCol Steve Nash (Ret'd)
Owner & Chief Instructor, Traditional Excellence Human Performance Inc.
Former Senior Leader, CANSOFCOM
15:15 – 15:30
Networking Break
Open networking.
15:30 – 16:15
90-Day Execution Planning Session
Participants establish 30-, 60-, and 90-day action plans, including stakeholder engagement, pilots, testing opportunities, partnership development, funding pathways, and deployment milestones.
16:15 – 16:30
Commitments & Next Steps
Jean-Marc Sheitoyan, PMP
Program Director, Counter-UAS Bootcamp
Formal capture of commitments, key observations, and follow-on actions.
Featured Leadership
The Bootcamp is led by experienced defense, operational, and technology professionals with direct experience in Counter-UAS operations, capability development, and deployment.
Jean-Marc Sheitoyan, PMP
Program Director, Counter-UAS Bootcamp
S4B Defense
Alexandre Joyce, PhD
Master of Ceremonies & Lead Workshop Facilitator
Strategy & Innovation Advisor, Innovation.Expert
Mr. Jim Falasco
Panel Moderator
Director of Strategic Business, AeroGear Telemetry
LCol Steve Nash (Ret'd)
Operational Assessment & Evaluation Panel Member
Owner & Chief Instructor, Traditional Excellence Human Performance Inc.
Former Senior Leader within the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM)
Dr. Alain L. Bujold, PhD, DBA
Featured Innovation Speaker
Founder & CEO, Bujold Innovation LABS19 LLC
Nature-Inspired Innovation for Future Counter-UAS and UAS Systems
The Event Is the Starting Point, Not the Finish Line
Participants receive curated introductions, matchmaking support, and structured follow-on engagement designed to accelerate pilots, partnerships, testing opportunities, and deployment.
October 6–7
The Bootcamp
Collaboration brief-outs, matchmaking, deployment opportunity reviews, and 90-day execution planning completed on-site.
Week 1
Match Reports & Introductions
Curated match reports delivered and formal introductions initiated between identified partners and stakeholders.
Month 1
Pilot & Partnership Discussions
Facilitated pilot discussions, partnership development, and opportunity scoping.
Month 3
Deployment Pathway Follow-Up
Progress reviews, opportunity tracking, and deployment pathway follow-up to advance commitments toward execution.