Introducing XPO Underground: Where XPONENTIAL Connects After Hours

April 9, 2026

When XPONENTIAL comes to Detroit this May, the conversations won’t stop when the expo floor closes.

On Wednesday, May 13 from 6–10 PM, the AUVSI Great Lakes Chapter hosts XPO Underground — the official XPONENTIAL 2026 afterparty — at Michigan Central, the landmark Detroit station-turned-innovation hub where the future of mobility, robotics, and autonomous systems is being built every day.

What is XPO Underground?

XPO Underground is the evening event that extends the momentum of XPONENTIAL into something more personal, fun, and actionable. It’s designed for the leaders, decision-makers, and builders who drive the uncrewed systems ecosystem — and who know that the most important conversations often happen after the badges come off.

Expect executive-level networking across autonomy, robotics, aviation, mobility, and infrastructure. Premium food and an open bar. A headline DJ set with favorite tracks, activations and activities — all inside Michigan Central, one of the most stunning adaptive reuse projects in the country and a nationally recognized mobility hub.

Who Will Be There?

XPO Underground is expected to draw 800–1,000 AUVSI attendees and VIPs. The room will include executives from leading drone manufacturers, robotics platforms, and autonomy providers; government and military officials shaping regulatory frameworks and allocating deployment budgets; infrastructure operators and enterprise buyers evaluating systems at scale; venture capital and strategic investors backing mobility infrastructure; and the engineers, operators, and integrators turning pilots into platforms.

The Venue: Michigan Central

Michigan Central opened in 1913 as one of the nation’s most significant rail terminals. After closing in 1988 and sitting vacant for decades, it has undergone one of the most ambitious adaptive redevelopments in the country. Today it anchors transportation systems, robotics, advanced manufacturing, and drone innovation — convening global enterprises, startups, policymakers, and researchers under one roof.

For XPO Underground, attendees will experience the building’s grand halls— spaces that match the scale of the decisions being made inside them.

Sponsors and Partners

XPO Underground is proudly supported by Wing, Detroit Smart Parking Lab / Urban Tech Xchange, and the State of Michigan, with additional partnership opportunities still available at the Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze levels. The Diamond partnership — exclusive to a single sponsor — includes a private branded lounge, an address to all attendees, and headline branding across the entire experience.

Why It Matters

XPONENTIAL convenes the ecosystem. XPO Underground connects it. In a week packed with sessions, demos, and meetings, this is the moment where relationships deepen, partnerships take shape, and the week’s momentum turns into real forward movement.

Proceeds from XPO Underground directly support the AUVSI Great Lakes Chapter’s nonprofit programming, including workforce development, education initiatives, and community engagement.

Get Your Tickets

Tickets are available now at $125 — and will increase to $150 the week of the event. Sponsorship packages are still available.

For partnership inquiries, contact Rich Fahle at rich.fahle@airspacelink.com or 734-355-4364.