What’s New at the National Space Symposium

 The scope and reach of the National Space Symposium grows every year, as does attendance, services and opportunities to learn about space and to network with space leaders. Among our attendees, anywhere from 20-30 percent are here for the first time, but many return year after year. This year, in addition to new faces, the 27th National Space Symposium has many new features.

New Interactive Registration System
Our new barcode registration system is designed to more quickly and accurately check attendees in and issue badges, plus provide the Space Foundation with more up-to-date data on attendance and better security control. the badges are sponsored by General Dynamics. Registrants: Be sure to bring your barcode to check in at warp speed!

Sunday Registration
For the first time, we're opening registration the night before the action begins. Attendees can register on Sunday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the International Center foyer and pick up their badges and registration materials without fighting a crowd.

Boeing Exhibit Center Lower Level
The demand for exhibit and meeting space has grown so much over the years that we added a new level to the massive Boeing Exhibit Center, sponsored by The Boeing Company. The Lower Level, reached via the elevators at the north and south ends of the foyer of Boeing Exhibit Center North, will house booths, industry meeting rooms and the 300-seat ARES Education Auditorium that will be used for presentations, including Audience with an Astronaut sessions, the Introduction to Chinese Culture and Space Activities, the "Human Space Travel in the Year 2020" art contest announcement and student activities.

Interactive Maps
Finding a specific booth will be much easier this year with interactive maps of the Boeing Exhibit Center, available online and at two handy kiosks, in the Boeing Exhibit Center North foyer and the Boeing Exhibit Center Lower Level. The onsite maps can be used to easily search for a specific exhibit booth or meeting room and then get simple, easy-to-follow graphic instructions on how to get there.

QR Codes
We've put two-dimensional Quick Response (QR) codes on National Space Symposium materials. Just point your smartphone camera at one and you'll be immediately connected to a relevant website, phone number or even V-card. Your smartphone may already have a QR code application; if not, you can download the application to your phone from an app store.

Smartphone Access
Attendees can put the National Space Symposium on their smartphones to browse and search their way through the Boeing Exhibit Center, plan and track schedules, stay up-to-date with the latest Space Foundation news, follow the Symposium on Twitter, keep up with the agenda and check out speaker biographies. Just click here.

Simulcast Lounge
The Simulcast Lounge in the Crystal Room in Broadmoor Main, co-sponsored by Integral Systems, will provide comfortable chairs, large LCD screens showing the main agenda presentations, hot beverages, WiFi and a great place to meet. Hours are 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., April 12-14; English is the official language.

Charging Stations
This year, the Boeing Exhibit Center will feature four charging stations, co-sponsored by SSC, with connections for most types of cellular phones. The stations are near the phone banks on the south end of the foyer of the Boeing Exhibit Center North; in the Cyberspace Center in the Boeing Exhibit Center South; in the Boeing Exhibit Center Lower Level; and in the International Center.
Pictured: New National Space Symposium Badge

This article is part of Space Watch: April 2011 (Volume: 10, Issue: 4).