WELCOME & CHECK-IN

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

WELCOME REMARKS

Chairman Brett Mecum, Arizona Space Commission

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.

KEYNOTE ADDRESS

Charlie McGillis, CEO, 2 Polaris & Beyond, LLC

BUILDING ARIZONA’S RISE AS A GLOBAL SPACE POWERHOUSE

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

PANELISTS
• Greg Autry: Space Czar, University of Central Florida
• Howard Chang: Executive Assistant United State Attorney’s Offices
• Namrata Goswami: Author, Professor, Academic Entrepreneur
• Bryce Kennedy: Space Valley I International Telecommunication Union

NETWORKING BREAK

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
• Tomas Diaz de la Rubia: Senior Vice President for Research and Partnerships, University of Arizona
• Mark Greeley: President, CEO, Paragon Space Development Corporation
• Shruti Gurudanti: Co-Founder, televëda, Rose Law Group
• Shawn Linam: CEO, Qwaltec

LUNCH + NETWORKING

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:

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

MODERATOR
• Forthcoming

PANELISTS
• Zaheer Ali: Director and Professor of Space Commercialization and Strategy, Space Paladin and Partner, Space Outcomes
• Jeremiah Pate: Founder, CTO, Lunasonde
• Jason Yocum: Senior Director, Space Infrastructure, Viasat Inc.

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

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

PANELISTS
• Elliott Bryner: Associate Professor and Chair, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
• Ubaldo Ciminieri: Chief of Staff, CisLunar Industries
• Troy Howe: President, Howe Industries, LLC
• Kevin Thompson: Commissioner, Arizona Corporation Commission

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INFRASTRUCTURE | Room 3
Building Arizona’s Space Backbone

MODERATOR
• David Beck: Principal, Space Technologies Limited

PANELISTS
• Andrew Ermitano: SpaceWERX Ventures Deputy, United States Space Force
• Lisa Morris: Vice President, Supply Chain, Virgin Galactic

More on the horizon

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HUMAN FRONTIERS | Room 4
Shaping Arizona’s Space Talent and Advancing Discovery

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

PANELISTS
• Omar Alam, RF Systems Engineer, Blue Origin
• Erika Hamden: Professor & Director, UA Space Institute, University of Arizona
• Michelle Lucas: Founder & CEO, Higher Orbits

More on the horizon

NETWORKING BREAK

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
Space Rising 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

SPACE EXECUTIVE DEALFLOW

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 and venture capitalists. These fast-paced sessions offer a focused opportunity to showcase your technology and explore strategic partnerships. More information coming soon