National Center for Simulation to host 2025 B2B event spotlighting drone innovation

The National Center for Simulation (NCS) will host its annual Business-2-Business (B2B) networking event on Wednesday, Oct. 1, at Full Sail University, with this year’s focus on the growing impact of drone technologies.

Titled “Sim, Soar & Sip,” the in-person event will take place at the Full Sail Treehouse, located at 519 S. Semoran Blvd in Winter Park, Fla., from 5 to 7:30 p.m. and is open to NCS members and other business professionals across the modeling, simulation and training community.

This year’s panel discussion, “Team Orlando’s Drone Impact,” will be moderated by Neal Finkelstein, Ph.D., NCS chief operating officer. The session will include a live Q&A and feature the following panelists:

• Nathan “Nate” Ecelbarger, president and CEO of the National Drone Association
• Doug Maxwell, modernization solution architect for multi-domain solutions and national security at Leidos
• Keely DeGroot, director of semiconductors at Plug and Play Tech Center
• Haifa Maamar, executive director of emerging technologies at Full Sail University

The event aims to foster conversation around the impact of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) on simulation, training and national security, while also providing a platform for networking, collaboration and potential partnerships.

“We’re excited to bring together thought leaders and innovators in the drone space to discuss how these technologies are reshaping the simulation and defense landscape,” said George Cheros, NCS CEO. “This is a great opportunity for professionals to connect and spark new ideas.”

The annual B2B event is part of NCS’s ongoing commitment to support industry growth, promote technological innovation and strengthen collaboration within Central Florida’s modeling and simulation ecosystem.