Sense of Place – Homegrown Drone: How a Rural Place Launched a Tech Revolution

Homegrown Drone: How a Rural Place Launched a Tech Revolution

Hear the human stories behind the Gorge’s tech economy at Sense of Place on October 14

Hood River, Ore. — Sense of Place begins its 17th season on Wednesday, October 14, 2026 with Homegrown Drone: How a Rural Place Launched a Tech Revolution.

Homegrown Drone will take place at Columbia Center for the Arts in Hood River, Oregon. Doors at 6pm, Show 7-8:30pm.

The Gorge is known for its recreation economy, but it is also home to more than 100 technology companies, many specializing in unmanned aerial vehicles or UAVs. In Homegrown Drone, Gorge Technology Alliance manager Jason Hartmann will tell the Sense of Place audience about the young, footloose engineers who came to the Gorge during the windsurfing boom of the 1980s and 90s, then used their expertise in lightweight materials to build a thriving tech economy hundreds of miles from Silicon Valley.

About the Speaker:

Jason Hartmann is the manager of the Gorge Technology Alliance, a non-profit dedicated to building and supporting the region’s technology businesses and community and to advancing STEM education in the Gorge.

 

Jason, who has lived in the Gorge for 24 years, spent a decade in the local UAV industry, primarily in business development. He has served his community as a White Salmon city councilor and a Southwest Klickitat fire commissioner, and he holds a degree in supply chain management from Michigan State University.

 

Event Details:

Homegrown Drone: How a Rural Place Launched a Tech Revolution

When: Wednesday, October 14, 2026. Doors 6pm, Show 7pm
(If the event is sold out, unclaimed seats will be released to the in-person waitlist at 6:45 p.m.)

Where: Columbia Center for the Arts, 215 Cascade Ave., Hood River, OR 97031

Livestream access included with ticket purchase.

Tickets: Available online at senseofplacegorge.org.
Advanced purchase is encouraged.

About Sense of Place:

 

For 17 years, Sense of Place has connected people through place and storytelling. Our flagship speaker series features individuals with unique knowledge of the Columbia River Gorge and explores the natural and cultural history that has shaped this region. Guests include scientists, tribal members, authors, farmers, and many others from throughout the Pacific Northwest.

 

Learn more about Sense of Place programs, explore our online archive, and subscribe to our newsletter at senseofplacegorge.org or follow @senseofplacegorge on Instagram.