Payton, Klotz, and de Rousiers Among Additional Confirmed Speakers for Strategic Space and Defense 2007

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Sep. 25, 2007) — Conference organizers announced numerous senior officials have confirmed their participation as featured speakers at Strategic Space and Defense 2007. Noteworthy additions to the program include Mr. Gary E. Payton, acting under secretary of the Air Force; Lt. Gen. Frank G. Klotz, USAF, assistant vice chief of staff and director, Air Force Staff, Headquarters U.S. Air Force; and Lt. Gen. Patrick de Rousiers, French Air Force, commanding officer, French Air Defence and Air Operations Command.  Presented by the Space Foundation and Space News, Strategic Space and Defense 2007, the global security conference for space and defense professionals, will take place at the Qwest Center Omaha Convention Center and Arena in Omaha, Neb., 9 – 11 October. 

“The 2007 program for Strategic Space and Defense features another stellar list of keynote speakers and panelists who will give attendees insights into the missions and priorities of U.S. Strategic Command that they will find nowhere else. Strategic Space and Defense 2007 addresses the most current and pressing issues facing space and defense professionals,” said Lon Rains, editor of Space News and vice president of Trade Publishing for Imaginova Corp.  “The top-level speakers and panelists are a perfect complement to the lineup of major sponsors and the largest Strategic Space and Defense exhibit center to date, making for an event that cannot be missed.”

Payton, Klotz, and de Rouisers will each give featured addresses during this unique conference, which includes two full days of featured speakers and panel sessions, luncheons, a sophisticated exhibit center, and more. Payton is scheduled to serve as the featured speaker at The Strategic Space and Defense Luncheon on Wednesday 10 October at 1200 hours. Klotz and de Rouisers will each give featured addresses during the program on Wednesday, 10 October at 1445 hours and 1545 hours, respectively.

Leaders from the space and defense industries will address pertinent and timely topics including the command of the future, Joint Functional Component Commands (JFCCs) and mission integration, space situational awareness, global strike, operationally responsive space, missile defense, and international perspectives including integrating global space operations. Further key confirmed speakers and panelists include Mr. Kenneth S. Callicutt, director, capability & resources integration, United States Strategic Command; Lt. Gen. Michael Hamel, USAF, commander, Space and Missile Systems Center; and Maj. Gen. William L. Shelton, USAF, commander, 14th Air Force and commander, JFCC-Space.

In addition to the stellar program, all major sponsorships for Strategic Space and Defense 2007 are sold out. This year’s event also features more than 11,000 square feet of exhibit space with more than 40 exhibiting companies and organizations – the largest in the history of the conference. Participating exhibitors include the largest U.S. defense contractors; government and military organizations including U.S. Strategic Command, Missile Defense Agency (MDA), National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, U.S. Air Force Space Based Infrared Systems (SBIRS), and the Reagan Test Site at Kwajalein; small to mid-sized companies, and more.

Other highlights of Strategic Space and Defense 2007 include a spectacular Opening Ceremony and Reception, featuring legendary music icons THREE DOG NIGHT and welcoming remarks by Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman, co-sponsored by Lockheed Martin and the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce; the Strategic Space and Defense luncheon, co-sponsored by Northrop Grumman; and the Thursday luncheon, co-sponsored by Boeing. Additional co-sponsors include AirLaunch LLC, a.i. Solutions, ATK, Axiom Worldwide, Booz Allen Hamilton, the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce, Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC), Mannheim Steamroller, Raytheon Company, SES Americom, and Sterling Computers Corp. – A Sun Partner Advantage Company.

Additional information including secure online registration, a preliminary agenda, and lists of speakers, exhibitors, and sponsors is available at www.StratSpace.org.

Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Colorado Springs, the Space Foundation is a national nonprofit organization advancing space-related endeavors to inspire, enable, and propel humanity. The Space Foundation is a leader in space awareness activities, trade association services, research and analysis for the global space industry and educational enterprises that bring space into the classroom. The Space Foundation has an office in Washington, D.C., and field representatives in Houston, Texas, and Cape Canaveral, Fla. The Space Foundation also conducts the premier annual gathering of the global space community, the National Space Symposium. The 24^th National Space Symposium will take place April 7-10, 2008, at The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs. For more information, visit www.SpaceFoundation.org.

Space News International, a division of Imaginova Corp., is the premier business-to-business media company dedicated entirely to the commercial and military space and satellite communications’ businesses. The company’s products include Space News, a weekly business-to-business newspaper; SpaceNews.com; Space News TV; Washington Aerospace Briefing; and Space News Early Bird Newsletter. For more information, visit http://www.spacenews.com/.

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