Drone summit to take inaugural flight at Spaceport America

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) – Hundreds of drone enthusiasts will converge for a first-ever drone summit later this month at Spaceport America , a sign of the New Mexico facility’s effort to diversify its offerings.

Spaceport officials are hoping to attract between 500 and 1,000 participants and spectators for the three-day event, which starts Nov. 11.

The Las Cruces Sun-News reports (http://bit.ly/2ew37hI) the facility is opening its doors for various activities to better engage the public.

The conference will include drone racing, a drone filmmaking contest and workshops with a top drone-racing pilot.

Spaceport America is currently going through a change in leadership.

Daniel Hicks, an engineer who had a senior management position at White Sands Missile Range, was named the new CEO in September.

He replaces Christine Anderson, who resigned this summer.