We already wrote about why we sponsored RPAS in Australian Skies 2026. This is the other half: how the booth actually got made.
As a new company just starting out, it was such an opportunity to take and grab. The people we had been speaking to asked us in to sponsor the key RPAS event, from this smaller scale.
The idea
We began with the initial ideas. We wanted to present ourselves and what we have done. That came down to speaking our philosophy, and presenting some of the work.
We need to do more with data to enable real actions. Whether that is email automation to get more people flying, completing your ReOC, or flying for you. Action across all the domains of our capability was our fruit to bear.
The booth
So we made the booth with this open abstract concept in mind, across a map.
Using QGIS and topo DSM maps of our favourite places, we developed a design special to us, to represent the topographic map in the booth panel design. Here is an early concept in Blender with a more abstract shape style.
The 3D model showed us the issues in the design early. Even then, the event supplier printed the panels at the wrong size. A big mix-up, and a lot of stress on the wonderful AAUS team. This seems like the go every year.
The coasters
As a real gift, not some marketing spam, we wanted to present our clients with a token.
For old friends we laser cut a set of four coasters that, placed together, combine into a map of a location special to them. That might be their head office, or their first BVLOS approval. Again QGIS, and street maps. We borrowed a laser cutter from Baden, who is a real friend.
The coasters were still etching in the days before the event. At the last moment we decided on a wood stain to complete the look and deepen the laser etching. That needed drying time.
Daniel was on hand to get on the tin, then air freight them to follow us up the morning of the show.
Like all good things, they manifest when they need to be real.
Neel dropped by the booth early as well, with a controller for the drone that would let us present a demo of the AI assistant for drone operations we install locally on the controller. He was instrumental in tying the coasters in blue ribbon for a better presentation, and in picking them up from the Qantas freight terminal.
Mitch from AgDrone came in to support and hype us. He also brought the AgDock system we have been building with AgDrone, including the sticker kit we installed in the dark before the event at our Airbnb. He was on the floor tying packs as well.
The screens
The booth computer graphics were certainly the most rushed part of this, with laggy fps pretty clear. Made in TouchDesigner: an infinite generative system of graphics across two monitors, with shared 3D models live being affected by the time of day at the event.
Most of the final touches on the screens were done once we landed, a couple of days before.
The gala
The gala dinner was great. A beer with all our friends on the team, and finally a chance to relax from a great event. Can't wait to join in 2027.
Thank you to Daniel, Raquelle, Matt, Damo, Dan, Matt, Christian, Mitch, Tiaki, Neel and many more for the support. From the effort to arrange this, it would not have been possible without the support of all.
Sincerely, Trent