VFS Forum 78 – 78th Annual Forum & Technology Display
- Date
- 2022-05-01
- Location
- USA
- Host
- Vertical Flight Society (AHS International)
About this event
VFS Forum 78 – 78th Annual Forum & Technology Display is a flagship gathering for people working in and around aerospace who want more than surface-level conversation. It brings together a technical forum, a professional community, and a technology showcase in one place, creating space for both serious learning and the kind of networking that can move projects and careers forward. If you care about where aerospace technology is heading, this is the kind of event built to help you get current fast. You can expect a strong mix of industry perspectives, technical discussion, and in-person connection with others who are equally invested in innovation, practical problem-solving, and the future of flight. About the Event The 78th Annual Forum & Technology Display from VFS is designed as an in-person aerospace forum with a clear professional focus: bring the community together to share research, discuss real-world challenges, and highlight the technologies shaping the field. The annual format signals continuity and depth, making this more than a one-off meetup. It is a long-running convening point for people who want to stay engaged with both the technical and strategic side of the industry. At its core, this event combines two valuable formats. The forum side creates a setting for presentations, discussion, and knowledge exchange. The technology display side gives attendees a chance to see solutions, tools, and capabilities presented in a more direct, tangible way. That combination matters because it connects ideas with implementation. This is also a community event in the best sense of the word. Alongside formal sessions, the gathering supports conversation across disciplines, organizations, and experience levels. Whether you are deeply technical, more operational, or focused on business development and partnerships, the structure supports meaningful crossover. Because the event is held in person in the USA, it offers the kind of interaction that is difficult to replicate online: side conversations after sessions, spontaneous introductions, deeper technical follow-up, and the chance to spend focused time with people who share your interests. What to Expect Expect a program built around the strengths of a major annual forum: structured sessions, opportunities to hear from a range of voices, and time to explore the technology display. Rather than a single-track experience, this kind of event typically works best as a mix of focused learning and open-ended discovery. You can look forward to elements such as: Technical presentations and forum sessions that surface current work, emerging ideas, and practical lessons Technology displays that make it easier to explore products, capabilities, and applied innovation in one setting Networking opportunities with aerospace professionals, researchers, operators, and other stakeholders Community conversations that help attendees compare approaches, ask better questions, and identify common priorities A strong event experience here is not only about sitting in sessions. It is also about how you move through the day: attending the talks most relevant to your work, taking time to visit the display area, and using breaks and informal moments to meet people you would not usually encounter in your day-to-day environment. For attendees who like to plan, it helps to think in three layers: what you want to learn, who you want to meet, and which technologies or themes you want to explore more closely. That approach turns a large forum into a much more productive experience. Why Attend If you work in aerospace, staying current is not optional. This event gives you a concentrated way to see where conversations are moving, what technologies are getting attention, and how peers across the community are thinking about challenges and opportunities. Instead of piecing together updates from scattered sources, you can engage directly with the people and ideas shaping the field. There is also a real difference between reading about technology and discussing it in a room full of people who understand the context. Forums like this help attendees test assumptions, hear nuanced perspectives, and come away with a sharper sense of what matters now versus what is still speculative. That is valuable whether you are in engineering, research, product, operations, leadership, or adjacent roles. Attending can be especially useful if you want to: Expand your professional network within the aerospace community Learn from current technical and industry discussions in a focused setting See technology in context through the display component Spot collaboration opportunities across organizations and disciplines Reconnect with the broader community around shared challenges and progress The annual nature of the forum adds another layer of value. Events with long histories tend to attract people who take the work seriously and show up ready to contribute. That creates a stronger environment for useful conversations, thoughtful questions, and lasting professional relationships. Practical Details Location: In person in the USA. This is a physical event, so attendees should plan for on-site participation rather than a virtual experience. Date and time: Sunday, May 1 at 12:00 AM UTC. If you are traveling or coordinating with others, make sure to double-check the timing in your local time zone and confirm any related schedule details before attending. A few practical ways to get the most out of the event: Review the event schedule in advance once available and identify your priority sessions Leave time to explore the technology display, not just the talks Bring business cards or a simple way to share contact information quickly Prepare a short introduction about your work so networking feels easier and more natural If you are attending with a team, divide coverage across sessions and compare notes afterward This event is a strong fit for people drawn to aerospace, community, networking, meetups, and social connection within a professional setting. If you want a serious industry forum with room for genuine in-person conversation, VFS Forum 78 offers a clear reason to show up and engage.
Who should attend
If you work on the future of vertical flight, autonomy, or uncrewed systems, this forum is built for you. - **Engineers and technical leaders** developing rotorcraft, eVTOL, autonomous flight systems, or mission-critical avionics who want exposure to current ideas, real-world challenges, and emerging approaches across the field. - **UAV and uncrewed aircraft professionals** looking to connect the dots between research, flight operations, system integration, safety, and the technologies shaping next-generation platforms. - **Program managers, product teams, and decision-makers** who need a clearer view of where vertical flight and autonomous aerospace are headed, and which technologies are gaining traction. - **Researchers, faculty, and students** in aerospace and related disciplines who want to learn from industry activity, understand practical applications, and meet people working at the edge of the sector. - **Defense, government, and public-sector attendees** involved in aviation, autonomy, or advanced air mobility who want direct access to technical discussion and the broader ecosystem around these capabilities. - **Anyone attending to discover technology firsthand** through the forum and technology display, especially if you value in-person conversations with people building, testing, and advancing these systems.