Volunteers Make Symposium Click

The 27th National Space Symposium drew the largest number of volunteers in Symposium history.

More than 350 volunteers comprised equally of civilians and military personnel, supported attendee, exhibitor, visitor, speaker, media and volunteer registration, transportation, information technology and security, as well as assisting with door monitoring and greeter/directional support positions. Although most volunteers come from the local Colorado Springs/Denver/Pueblo area, some traveled from as far away as Washington, D.C., Florida, Nebraska and even Austria, to help out.

According to Space Foundation Event Coordinator Jennifer Picard, who serves as the National Space Symposium volunteer coordinator, “Our volunteers become an integral part of our team weeks prior to and during the National Space Symposium. We depend on them to help us carry out an efficient, customer-service friendly and successful event.

“As our event grows, so does our volunteer base and that is exciting,” she said. “The benefits are great for the volunteers, but it is their enthusiasm for the space industry that keeps them coming back.”

Volunteer benefits include:

• Being involved with the premier gathing of the global space community
• Entry into the National Space Symposium Exhibit Center, which includes displays, models and examples of a mind-boggling array of space equipment and technology
• Entrance to a half-day session to hear top-notch space speakers

To volunteer for future National Space Symposiums, contact Picard now at [email protected] and let her know of your interest. Formal online volunteer registration will open in January 2012 for the 28th National Space Symposium. 

Pictured: Top, volunteers gather at The Broadmoor Hotel for orientation; Bottom, volunteers Robert Sweeney and Carol Parker manage the Space Shuttle Art Auction booth.
 

This article is part of Space Watch: June 2011 (Volume: 10, Issue: 6).