Colorado Springs, Colo. (Oct. 22, 2002) – Despite a weak global
economy, space industry revenues are expected to rocket past the
$145 billion mark in 2002. New launch systems are coming on line.
NASA is articulating a bold new vision for future exploration. And
space-based systems for surveillance, reconnaissance, navigation
and communication are expected to play an ever-increasing role in
national security and homeland defense. Against this backdrop of
sweeping transformation, the space industry is gearing up for what
promises to be its most exciting and interesting annual gathering
ever – the 19th National Space Symposium.
Hosted by the not-for-profit Space Foundation and strongly backed
by most of the nation’s leading space companies, the symposium is
held each April in Colorado Springs – the military space capitol of the
world and home to such influential military organizations as NORAD,
Northern Command and Air Force Space Command. The 19th
National Space Symposium (theme: “Transforming the Future”) will
be held April 7-10, 2003 at The Broadmoor Hotel. Already the
roster of speakers, panelists, exhibitors and sponsors reads like a
“Who’s Who” of the industry. More than 4,000-space professionals
from around the world are expected to participate.
“Despite weakness in the economy and serious concerns about
overcapacity in the satellite manufacturing and commercial launch
sectors, there is great forward momentum in the space industry right
now,” said Elliot G. Pulham, president and chief executive officer of
the Space Foundation. “We are seeing earlier commitments and
more forward planning for this event than ever before.”
Among the speakers already expected for the April event are the
Secretary of the Air Force, the Honorable James Roche;
Commander-in-Chief of NORAD and commander of Northern
Command, Gen. Ralph “Ed” Eberhart; NASA Administrator, the
Honorable Sean O’Keefe; commander of Air Force Space
Command, Gen. Lance Lord; Department of Defense Director of
Research & Engineering, the Honorable Ronald Sega, and other
luminaries.
The premier annual gathering of the U.S. space industry, the
National Space Symposium is the only event to fully integrate all
sectors of the industry – civil, commercial and national security – to
ensure relevance and value for all participants. Topics of discussion
for the 2003 conference and trade show include
Program content will be expanded in the months ahead, ensuring
that only the most timely and critically important issues are
addressed.
With billions of dollars in business-to-business space deals struck
each year at the conference, the National Space Symposium places
heavy emphasis on executive networking. Major special events
planned for 2003 are
Reflecting the importance of the National Space Symposium across
all sectors of the industry, virtually all major U.S. space companies
have taken high profile corporate sponsorship roles, including
Despite the fact that its size has once again been expanded, the
Boeing Exhibit Center is quickly reaching capacity. Of the more
than 400 companies and organizations expected to participate in the
symposium, nearly 100 will be exhibitors.
For a current exhibitor list, to register online or get more information
on the agenda, speakers and sponsors visit
www.spacesymposium.org, or call the Space Foundation at (US)
719-576-8000, or toll-free in the US and Canada at 1-800-691-4000.
The Space Foundation is a national non-profit organization whose
mission is to vigorously advance and support civil, commercial and
national security space endeavors and educational excellence. In
addition to the National Space Symposium, the Foundation and its
partnering organizations will conduct the Space at the Crossroads
Conference, Feb. 19, 2003, at the U.S. Department of Commerce in
Washington, DC; and the International Space Symposium, Oct. 28-
30, 2003, at the Reagan International Trade Center in Washington,
DC.
