More than 2,000 participants converged upon the George R. Brown Convention Center for the 2016 SpaceCom ? Space Commerce Conference and Expo Nov. 15-17. The second annual event gathered professionals from the space, advanced manufacturing, agribusiness, energy, maritime and medical industries to spotlight how space technology and access to space-based assets are driving game-changing advancements in key industries on Earth.

“SpaceCom actively connects C-level executives to explore new markets and accelerate solutions to some of our world’s most challenging problems,” said James Causey, executive director for SpaceCom. “From our keynote addresses and panel discussions to networking receptions and co-located meetings, the second annual SpaceCom confirmed that the groundswell of interest in commercial space activities continues to surge. Based on the tremendous rise in attendance, I believe we created an event that will be in high demand for years to come.”

With a faculty of more than 120 industry-leading speakers, SpaceCom 2016 delivered a content-rich program that covered topics including: commercial use of the International Space Station, satellite and big data analysis for terrestrial applications, Spaceport proliferation, commercial microgravity applications, space policy in the Trump administration, new launch capabilities, asteroid mining, missions to Mars and more.

Some highlights from the 2016 event include the following:
· 22 percent increase in attendance over the 2015 event
· 38 U.S. states in attendance; 31 countries
· 47 attendees from 15 spaceports (up from 32 attendees from 14 spaceports in 2015)
· 65 exhibitors displayed innovative new products, services and technologies in nearly 10,000 square feet of reserved exhibitor space (100% renewal over 2015 with a 42% increase)
· 300 percent increase in on-site exhibitor/sponsor renewals over the 2015 event

Keynote speaker, Robert Bigelow, founder of Bigelow Aerospace, made news by calling for an increase in NASA’s budget to 1% of federal budget, about double what it is now. Another keynote speaker, Graham Hill, senior vice president of KBR, demonstrated how public-private partnerships can be utilized in achieving large scale space projects, citing KBR’s experience with public-private partnerships in the U.K.

Several entities used SpaceCom 2016 as the backdrop for key meetings and functions. The Houston Super Bowl Host Committee unveiled its “WOW” Factor for the 2017 Super Bowl LIVE fan festival – Future Flight, an out-of-this world virtual reality experience and hands-on space exhibit that will share with the public the incredible journey to Mars and beyond. An exclusive VIP reception at the Partnership Tower featured local politicians, delegations from Japan and Canada, and other business executives from around the world. In addition, there was a meeting for 25 top regional oil and gas executives, as well as a meeting of university vice presidents of research exploring ways to build a student education program centered in commercial space.

SpaceCom 2017 will take place again at the George R. Brown Convention Center from Dec. 5-7, 2017.

“Next year’s event – our third – looks to be an even bigger business event that will focus on the demand side of the emerging commercial space market, thus securing Houston as the center of the space commerce community,” Causey continued.

SpaceCom 2016 was produced in collaboration with NASA Johnson Space Center, Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS), Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau (GHCVB), and Houston First Corporation. It was also made possible by its founding sponsors and other key supporters.

For more information on the 2016 event or becoming involved with the 2017 SpaceCom, visit www.spacecomexpo.com .

About SpaceCom

SpaceCom (the Space Commerce Conference and Exposition) focuses on the application of space technologies to fuel business innovation across the advanced manufacturing, agribusiness, energy, maritime and medical industries. The event is produced in collaboration with NASA Johnson Space Center, Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS), Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau (GHCVB), Houston First Corporation and National Trade Productions. For more information, visit www.spacecomexpo.com.