Senior hospitality, tourism and entertainment leaders will join space industry executives at a unique conference tomorrow to talk about how their businesses can collaborate.
The Space Investment Summit 6 will be held Wednesday, May 27, at the Omni Orlando Resort in ChampionsGate and is organized in part by the University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management.
The full-day summit will focus on rapidly expanding links between space and non-space industries and will bring together many of the most respected and creative minds to address issues such as the development of simulation and virtual space experiences.
Former NASA astronaut and retired Navy Capt. Jon A. McBride, vice president of strategic development for Delaware North Companies, will deliver a keynote luncheon presentation, sharing his perspective on business opportunities involving space themes. Among them is the creation of the 44,000-square-foot Shuttle Launch Experience at the Kennedy Space Center, where visitors can strap in and “get vertical” for a simulation of the sights, sounds and feelings of a real space shuttle launch.
Other panel discussions will focus on financial issues in the synergy of space and hospitality, tourism and entertainment; space-themed physical attractions; the multimedia virtual experience of space; and the business challenges and opportunities.
“This conference will bring together executives from the space and hospitality-tourism industries to discuss future joint ventures in the exciting, emerging world of space tourism,” said Abraham Pizam, dean of the Rosen College. “We are honored to support this event and assist in merging these great industries.”
The summit is organized by the Space Investment Summit Coalition in collaboration with the Rosen College and hosted by the National Space Society.
“The summit has been carefully designed to stimulate dialogue among industry leaders, concerning market expansion created by the growing synergy of space, tourism, hospitality and entertainment initiatives,” said Paul Eckert, summit coordinator and Boeing international and commercial strategist.
The ongoing summit series helps stimulate private investment and business innovation, providing twice-yearly venues for leaders to explore emerging space-related opportunities.