Comparison matrix
Two to four shows, side by side, on the numbers that decide a booth: delegations, attendance, floor space and what a credible stand costs. Rows marked estimate come from the research layer, not from an organiser price list.
| Attribute | 11th Drone World CongressRemove 11th Drone World Congress19–22 May 2027 | AUSA Annual Meeting & ExpositionRemove AUSA Annual Meeting & Exposition12–14 Oct 2026 | Milipol QatarRemove Milipol Qatar20–22 Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dates | 19–22 May 20274 days | 12–14 Oct 20263 days | 20–22 Oct 20263 days |
| Registration | — | — | — |
| Location | Shenzhen, ChinaShenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center, No. 3000-1 Songbai Road, Bao'an District | Washington, D.C., United StatesWalter E. Washington Convention Center | Doha, QatarDoha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC), Halls 1–4 |
| Format | Trade shows & exhibitionsChina | Trade shows & exhibitionsNorth AmericaNATO | Trade shows & exhibitionsMiddle East |
| Attendanceestimate | ~180,000 visitors from 140+ countries and regions (10th edition, 2026) | 30,000+ attendees | ~14,500 trade visitors from 63 countries (2024 edition) |
| Exhibitorsestimate | ~1,220 exhibitors from 17 countries/regions (10th edition, 2026) | — | 255 exhibitors from 26 countries (2024 edition) |
| Delegationsestimate | Representatives from 150+ countries and regions at opening ceremony (2026) | — | 360 official delegations from 42 countries (2024 edition) |
| Floor spaceestimate | ~110,000 sqm (10th edition, 2026); 2027 moves to larger Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center | — | ~29,000 sqm (DECC total pillar-free exhibition space; Milipol Qatar occupies Halls 1–4) |
| Budget tierestimate | Mid | — | Flagship |
| Exhibitor costestimate | On request; shell-scheme booths available; pricing not publicly listed | — | From €195 excl. VAT/sqm (fitted stand, 12–36 sqm); bare space on request |
| Visitor costestimate | ~CNY 60 (~USD 8) real-name registered trade visitor ticket | paid | Free for trade professionals (pre-registration required; strictly trade-only, no public days) |
| Audience | PrimesSMEsStartupsInvestorsInstitutions | PrimesSMEsInstitutions | PrimesSMEsStartupsInstitutions |
| Topics | UAS / DronesC-UASAutonomy & RoboticsAIDual-use | Land systemsC-UASISR & SensorsProcurement | CyberC-UASISR & SensorsCBRNC2 / Battle Management |
| Organiser | Shenzhen UAV Industry Association (SZUAVIA) & China UAV Industry Alliance | Association of the United States Army | Ministry of Interior of the State of Qatar & Comexposium Security (on behalf of GIE Milipol / Civipol) |
| Editionestimate | 11th edition (series launched 2017; annual) | — | 16th edition in 2026 (founded 1996; biennial since inception) |
| Patronageestimate | Supported by Shenzhen Municipal Government; co-organised with China Federation of Electronics and Information Industry, China Civil Airports Association, China Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association | — | Under the patronage of HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar; held under the authority of the Minister of Interior and Commander of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) |
| Why it matters | DWC is the single most important annual procurement and partnership event for the global UAV supply chain, offering direct access to Chinese manufacturers who dominate 70%+ of the consumer drone market and nearly 50% of the industrial drone market worldwide. For defence suppliers and dual-use SMEs, the dedicated low-altitude security and counter-UAS exhibition zone (Hall 5 in 2026) and associated forums provide unmatched visibility into Chinese C-UAS technology trends and potential export partners. The event's scale — 1,200+ exhibitors and 180,000+ visitors in 2026 — makes it an essential intelligence-gathering venue for any organisation tracking UAS threats, capabilities, or supply-chain dependencies. | The anchor event for anyone selling to the US Army. Program offices and primes are present in force; ideal for SMEs seeking subcontracting and teaming opportunities. | Milipol Qatar is the only dedicated homeland security trade show in the Middle East, giving defence and security suppliers direct access to Qatari Ministry of Interior procurement decisions — QAR 842 million in contracts were signed at the 2024 edition alone. The event's official delegations programme (360 delegations from 42 countries in 2024) provides unmatched access to government buyers and military end-users across the Gulf, Near East, and Asia. For SMEs and startups, national pavilions (France, Germany, Italy, North America, Czech Republic, China in 2024) offer a cost-effective route to market entry in one of the world's fastest-growing security markets. |
| Links | DossierOfficial site | DossierOfficial site | DossierOfficial site |
Estimates are compiled from public organiser material and press coverage, and are indicative only. Confirm pricing with the organiser before committing budget. Research confidence: 11th Drone World Congress — high; AUSA Annual Meeting & Exposition — not researched; Milipol Qatar — high.