AIAA HyTASP Program Committee Recommendations for Conference Growth

Scope and Approach Goal:  Ensure our conference continues to be held as an independent event, while maintaining the model that sets our conference apart from others Strategy:  Improve the overall AIAA ROI for this conference Focus Team:  Peter Montgomery, Tim O’Brien, Dave Van Wie, Steve Schneider, Ryan Starkey, Dan Marren

Scope and Approach Approach:  Increase Conference Attendance  Lower Conference Costs Implementation:  Perform a root cause analysis of the potential causes for decreased ROI  Identify and take any immediate actions possible for the San Francisco conference  Brief the PC in April on analysis and recommended long term actions  Update AIAA leadership regularly on progress and plan forward  Implement long term actions and track results

Root Cause Analysis – Causes to Consider Conference Timing  JANNAF, National Space Symposium, others  Many conferences set their dates at the same time making coordination difficult  Conferences setting dates after us may cause us to shift dates after the initial marketing material is issued Conference Program  Low levels of research papers \ S&T participation  ITAR restrictions \ No closed sessions for US or US Government only attendees  Confusion over the scope of the conference

Root Cause Analysis – Causes to Consider Conference Cost  Reduced budgets and constraints on government funding for traveling to this type of activity  Conference registration fee  Lodging, meal, and travel costs due to conference location  Costs of overseas travel for overseas conferences Conference Location  Proximity to hypersonics research and development  Overseas vs US locations Conference Marketing  Distribution  Message

Root Cause Analysis – Causes to Consider Industry Interest in Hypersonics  Current industry level of interest in hypersonics  Current industry interest in areas other than hypersonics US Participation in the Conference  US interest in this conference does not seem to match international interest level –US participants make up about 40% of the conference attendees –Conference location within the US or overseas does not change this  Local participation is not significant for US conference locations –Overseas conferences result in a significant increase in local participation –US conferences do not result in an increase in local participation

Root Cause Analysis Results Conference Timing  Secondary root cause  6 month shift might help but may be challenging Conference Program  Maintain our model of openness that sets us apart and encourages strong international involvement  Grow areas where we could have stronger support Conference Cost  Primary root cause  Remaining below $1000 registration is important

Root Cause Analysis Results Conference Location  Data suggests minimal impact with location  We need to draw more local involvement when in US Industry Interest in Hypersonics  Not a factor - Interest is currently strong US Participation in the Conference  Good but we need to draw more local involvement Conference Marketing  Good but we need to do better locally when in US

Recommendations and Path Forward Maintain our current model of openness Focus on growing attendance, while minimizing costs where possible  Target two specific groups for growth –Commercial Space Community –Research / S&T Community  Boost local involvement through increased outreach  Consider meals and other special activities carefully Explore adding exhibits and sponsorships Consider one 6 month timing shift, if feasible

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