Welcome to the
ARIZONA SPACE RISING CONVENING
April 28-30, 2026

SPEAKERS
TICKETS

April 28 I WELCOME MIXER

  • 4:30-6:30p

    WELCOME MIXER

    Kick off Arizona Space Rising with an evening designed for meaningful connection. Enjoy cocktails, conversation, and networking with the leaders shaping Arizona’s space economy. Open to All-Access pass holders, sponsors, and speakers.

April 29 I STATEWIDE STRATEGY DAY

  • 7:00-9:00 am

    Convening leaders from across Arizona and beyond to shape the state’s space strategy. Attendees will work across four parallel afternoon tracks—Human Frontiers, Technology, Power Systems, and Infrastructure—designed to explore opportunities, align priorities, and guide actionable steps to strengthen Arizona’s leadership in the space industry.

    REGISTRATION

    Hyatt Regency Downtown Phoenix
    2nd Floor Atrium
    122 N 2nd St
    Phoenix, AZ 85004
    Map

    GET TICKETS

  • 9:00-9:15 am

    OPENING REMARKS

    The day kicks off by convening leaders from across Arizona and beyond to shape the state’s space strategy.

    SPEAKERS

  • 9:15 - 9:30 am

    WELCOME ADDRESS

    Welcome attendees, highlighting new statewide leadership in innovation and community engagement that support Arizona’s growing space economy.

  • 9:30-9:45 am

    THE ARIZONA SPACE ADVANTAGE

    High-profile keynote showcasing the strengths, vision, and momentum that give Arizona a defining role in the global space economy.

  • 9:45-10:30 am

    BUILDING ARIZONA’S RISE AS A GLOBAL SPACE POWERHOUSE

    A discussion with Arizona and global leaders exploring opportunities and challenges shaping the space economy.

    MODERATOR
    • Jonathan Stratton: Director, Space Ops

    PANELISTS
    • Greg Autry: Space Czar, University of Central Florida
    • Howard Chang: Executive Assistant United State Attorney’s Offices
    • Shruti Gurudanti: Co-Founder at televëda; Rose Law Group

    More on the horizon

  • 10:30 - 11:00 am

    NETWORKING BREAK

  • 11:00 - 12:00 pm

    BUILDING THE ARIZONA SPACE ECOSYSTEM

    Arizona industry, academia, and government leaders share what’s needed to strengthen Arizona’s space ecosystem, from workforce and technology to infrastructure and energy resilience.

    MODERATOR
    • Colleen McLead Garner: Marketing & BD Capture Manager, Paragon Space Development Corporation

    PANELISTS
    • Jim Cantrell: CEO and Co-Founder, Phantom Space
    • Shawn Linam: CEO, Qwaltec
    • Tomas Diaz de la Rubia: Senior Vice President for Research and Partnerships, University of Arizona

    More on the horizon

  • 12:00-1:15 pm

    LUNCH + NETWORKING

  • 1:15-2:30 pm

    ARIZONA SPACE STRATEGY BREAKOUTS

    Help shape Arizona’s space ecosystem with focused strategy sessions tailored to your interests. These interactive breakout rooms bring together leaders from the military, industry, academia, and government to explore challenges and opportunities across four key pillars of the space sector: Format: Panels & Roundtables

    BREAKOUT ROOMS:

    _______________________

    TECHNOLOGY | Room 1
    Driving Space Innovation in Arizona and Beyond.

    MODERATOR
    • Forthcoming

    PANELISTS
    • Jeremiah Pate: Founder, CTO, Lunasonde
    • Zaheer Ali: Space Paladin, University of Central Florida
    • Worth Wray: Chief Strategy Officer, Phantom Space

    _______________________

    POWER SYSTEMS | Room 2
    Powering the Future Frontier, from Arizona for the Nation.

    MODERATOR
    • Lisa Godzich: Founder and CEO, ASTRO Strategy Group

    PANELISTS
    • Troy Howe: President, Howe Industries, LLC
    • Ubaldo Ciminieri: Chief of Staff, CisLunar Industries
    • Kevin Thompson: Commissioner, Arizona Corporation Commission

    _____________________

    INFRASTRUCTURE | Room 3
    Building Arizona’s Space Backbone

    MODERATOR
    • David Beck: Principal, Space Technologies Limited

    PANELISTS
    • More on the horizon

    _____________________

    HUMAN FRONTIERS | Room 4
    Shaping Arizona’s Space Workforce, Emerging Industries, Science, and Policy

    MODERATOR
    • Michael Vargas: Strategic Partnerships Lead Air and Space STEM Outreach, Griffiss Institute

    PANELISTS
    • Michelle Lucas: Founder & CEO, Higher Orbits
    • Erika Hamden: Professor & Director, UA Space Institute, University of Arizona
    • More on the horizon

  • 2:30-3:00 pm

    NETWORKING BREAK


  • 3:00-4:00 pm

    ARIZONA SPACE STRATEGY BREAKOUTS (CON’T)

    ARIZONA SPACE 2030
    An interactive ideation sprint to define Arizona’s priorities for the next three years in the space economy. Participants will collaborate, generate ideas, and vote on the most critical actions to drive statewide success.

    FACILITATORS
    Thunderbird Mars Society Student Cohort, led by Imron Bouley

    BREAKOUT ROOMS:

    Technology | Room 1
    Semiconductors • AI • Software • Data Centers

    Power Systems | Room 2
    SMRs • Nuclear • Solar • Hydro

    Infrastructure | Room 3
    Manufacturing • Supply Chain • Facilities

    Human Frontiers | Room 4
    Workforce • Emerging Industries • Science • Policy

April 29 I SPACE EXECUTIVE MEETINGS

  • 4:00-6:00 pm

    SPACE EXECUTIVE MEETINGS

    Engage in exclusive, pre-scheduled 30-minute one-on-one business meetings connecting solution providers (such as technology vendors and service firms) with senior decision-makers from the space industry’s leading organizations. These fast-paced sessions offer a focused opportunity to showcase your technology, explore strategic partnerships, and open doors for collaboration.

    Space Customers
    Companies forthcoming

    Location
    Hyatt Regency Downtown Phoenix
    2nd Floor Atrium
    122 N 2nd St
    Phoenix, AZ 85004
    Map

    REGISTRATION FORTHCOMING

April 29 I SPACE RISING GALA

  • 6:00-7:00 pm

    The Arizona Space Rising Gala is a formal dinner and live auction event benefiting STEM education that serves as one of the highlights of the Arizona Space Rising convening. It brings together leaders and key stakeholders in the space industry with guests from business, government, academia, and investment communities.

    CHAMPAGNE WELCOME RECEPTION

    Location
    Hyatt Regency Downtown Phoenix
    2nd Floor Atrium
    122 N 2nd St
    Phoenix, AZ 85004
    Map

    Formal Dress Attire

    GET TICKETS

  • 7:00-8:00 pm

    DINNER SERVED

  • 8:00-8:30 pm

    KEYNOTE

  • 8:30-9:00 pm

    SPACE RISING LIVE / SILENT AUCTION

    Elevate our future workforce with every bid. Every dollar raised fuels space STEM initiatives.

  • 9:00 - 10:00 pm:

    CLOSING SOCIAL HOUR

April 30 I SPACE RISING: LIVE IN TEMPE

  • 3:00-6:00 pm

    ARIZONA SPACE EXPO + RECEPTION

    Explore Arizona’s vibrant space ecosystem with 40 exhibitors showcasing the latest innovations and ventures. Enjoy a lively, eclectic atmosphere with cash bars, complimentary snacks, and plenty of opportunities to see what’s happening across the state’s space community. Then settle in for headliner speaker sessions in a dynamic theater setting.

    Location
    Tempe Center For The Arts
    700 W Rio Salado Pkwy
    Tempe, AZ 85281

    GET TICKETS

  • 5:30-6:00 pm

    THEATER DOORS OPEN

    Ushers are available to assist you in locating your assigned seats.

  • 6:00-6:15 pm

    WELCOME TO SPACE RISING: LIVE IN TEMPE

    Kick off the evening with a warm welcome

  • 6:15-7:15 pm

    OPEN SPACE

    Join David Ariosto for a live podcast as he dives into the global race to explore space and the next frontier of the industry. Guests are on the horizon—expect dynamic, real-time conversations with the leaders defining our cosmic future.

    David Ariosto
    Author, "Open Space From Earth to Eternity–the Global Race to Explore and Conquer the Cosmos"

    Founder, Open Space Report

    Co-founder, The Space Agency

  • 7:15-7:45 pm

    INTERMISSION I COCKTAILS

  • 7:45-9:00 pm

    CUTTING-EDGE HISTORY THROUGH SPACE STORIES

    A live, unscripted look at the stories shaping space—and the worlds we build.