SciTech Timing TAC Executive Board 5 May 2015

Background During January TAC meeting, Jim Keenan requested staff assess the timing of SciTech after 2018  We are currently contracted through 2018 –4-8 January 2016, Manchester Grand Hyatt, San Diego, CA –9-13 January 2017, Gaylord Texan, Grapevine, TX –8-12 January 2018, Gaylord Palms, Orlando, FL Request stemmed from concern of the negative impact of early January dates on attendees and proximity to the holidays 2

Background (continued) Jim’s analysis of academic participation in SciTech led to observation that the 4 th week in January best timeframe  This would impact timing of AVIATION, which has large overlap with SciTech –Two events should be at least 6 months apart –If AVAITION moves later, 3 forums would be too close together and could have negative impact on exhibits, sponsorship, staff resources Staff Event Planners confirmed that we receive no financial incentive for a specific timing in January 3

Background (continued) Staff sent out a survey to SciTech 2015 attendees to solicit feedback about timing  We received 612 responses  45% of respondents were under the age of 35; approximately one third of the attendees are in this age range 4

Summary of Survey Responses Only 10% to respondents did not attend SciTech 2014 or 2015 Breakdown of respondents by industry:  Academia: 48%  Industry: 25%  Government: 22%  Other: 4% 64% attend to present papers 89% do not participate in activities during the weekend prior to SciTech 5

Summary of Survey Responses (continued) Duration of participation of respondents at SciTech:  More than 5 days: 10%  5 days: 46%  4 days: 24%  3 days: 15%  2 days: 2%  1 day: 3% Respondents evenly split on whether the 1 st or 2 nd second of January is most convenient for them 6

Summary of Survey Responses (continued) Breakdown of best timeframe for respondents:  2 nd week January: 44%  3 rd week January: 18%  4 th week January: 18%  Other: 20% –Write in responses for “Other” varied but a number listed February, April (traditional SDM timeframe), summer months Breakdown of respondents attending other forums:  AVIATION: 31%  P&E: 12%  SPACE: 9%  DEFENSE: 3% 7