The National Space Symposium, held at The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colorado, has brought together space leaders from around the world to discuss, address and dream about the future of space since the inaugural event in 1984. Attendees at that original event numbered barely 250 space enthusiasts, while participants at last year's 28th National Space Symposium surpassed 9,000. The Space Symposium has become widely known as the premier U.S. space policy and program forum and as the "must attend" opportunity for information on and interaction among all sectors of space.

The caliber of participants, the extraordinary venue and the structure of the agenda create the perfect environment for making contacts and getting business done. Our customers tell us their number-one reason for attending the Space Symposium is the opportunity to network, meet with customers and make things happen - all in one place at one time.

Space Symposium attendees consistently represent all sectors of the space community from multiple spacefaring nations: space agencies; commercial space businesses and associated subcontractors; military, national security and intelligence organizations; cyber security organizations; federal and state government agencies and organizations; research and development facilities; think tanks; educational institutions; space entrepreneurs and private space travel providers; businesses engaged in adapting, manufacturing or selling space technologies for commercial use; and media that inspire and educate the general public about space.

Bringing all these groups together in one place provides a unique opportunity to examine space issues from multiple perspectives, to promote dialog and to focus attention to critical space issues.

Over the years, the Space Symposium has been the stage from which many notable space leaders have addressed the world. Prominent speakers have included the vice president of the United States; cabinet officials such as the secretaries of commerce, transportation and defense; secretaries of the Air Force; directors of the National Reconnaissance Office; commanders of United States Strategic Command, United States Northern Command and Air Force Space Command; NASA, NOAA and FAA administrators; heads of global space agencies; members of Congress; and senior industry executives, as well as a host of national and state officials, astronauts, private space travelers, futurists, media personalities, entertainers and educators.

The Space Symposium's expansive Lockheed Martin Exhibit Center features exhibitors in two major halls, configured to provide extraordinary access and exposure for every exhibitor. The mind-boggling exhibits cover a broad range of the latest in space innovation, ranging from nanotechnology to full-scale spacecraft.