Major Sponsorships Sold Out and Top-Level Speakers Confirm for Strategic Space and Defense 2007

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Sep. 6, 2007) — All major sponsorships for Strategic Space and Defense 2007 are sold out, officials announced today. In addition to a full slate of sponsors, many senior speakers and panelists have recently confirmed their participation. 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 2007. 

Major sponsorships of Strategic Space and Defense 2007 include the Opening Ceremony and Reception, featuring legendary music icons THREE DOG NIGHT. The Honorable Dave Heineman, governor, State of Nebraska, will deliver welcoming remarks at the event, which is co-sponsored by Lockheed Martin and the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce. The Strategic Space and Defense luncheon, co-sponsored by Northrop Grumman, will be hosted by Alexis C. Livanos, Ph.D., corporate vice president and president, space technology, Northrop Grumman. Mr. Howard E. Chambers, vice president/general manager, space & intelligence systems, Boeing, will serve as the corporate host of 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), Raytheon Company, and SES Americom.

Strategic Space and Defense 2007 will feature a stellar program consisting of leaders in the space and defense industries. These key speakers and panelists 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.

Confirmed speakers and panelists include Lt. Gen. Charles E. Croom Jr., USAF, director, Defense Information Systems Agency and commander, Joint Task Force – Global Network Operations; Lt. Gen. Michael Hamel, USAF, commander, Space and Missile Systems Center; Lt. Gen. Frank G. Klotz, USAF, assistant vice chief of staff and director, Air Force Staff, Headquarters U.S. Air Force; and Maj. Gen. William L. Shelton, USAF, commander, 14th Air Force and commander, JFCC-Space.

Additional confirmed speakers and panelists include Chief Master Sgt. Timmothy M. Dickens, USAF, senior enlisted advisor, Joint Task Force-Global Network Operations/Defense Information Systems Agency; Brig. Gen. Pierre J. Forgues, CAF, director general, capability development, National Defense Headquarters; Mr. Gary K. Gernhardt, vice president & director, Washington Operations, ITT Space Systems; Gp Capt. Christopher Knapman, RAF, Headquarters AIR, Gp Capt C2 Spt, RAF High Wycombe; Mr. Carl Marchetto, executive vice president & general manager, space systems group, Orbital Sciences Corporation; Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin B. McGovern, USA, command sergeant major, 1st Space Brigade, United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command / U.S. Army Forces Strategic Command (SMDC/ARSTRAT); Chief Master Sgt. Thomas S. Narofsky, USAF, command chief master sergeant, 14th Air Force (Air Forces Strategic-Space), and JFCC-Space, United States Strategic Command; Fleet Master Chief Petty Officer William N. Nissen, USN, command master chief, United States Strategic Command; Brig. Gen. Robert  “Tip” Osterthaler, USAF (Retired), president & chief executive officer, AMERICOM Government Services; Air Commodore Tim Owen, RAAF, commander, Headquarters Surveillance and Response Group; and Mr. Lon L. Rains, vice president of trade publishing (Editorial), Imaginova Corp. and editor, Space News.

Conference attendees and participants include the senior leadership of U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), its component and supported commands, representatives of the national security industrial base, major government contractors, federal officials, and allied partners. This unique conference includes two full days of featured speakers and panel sessions, luncheons, a sophisticated exhibit center, and more.

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

About the Space Foundation

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/.