Glasgow Space Congress Sets Record
More space professionals from across the world than ever before gathered in Glasgow this week for a ground-breaking conference on the future of space technology and space travel.
The International Astronautical Congress (IAC) held at the SECC in Glasgow (29 September - 3 October) was the 59th in the history of the Congress - and set a new record for attendance.
There were more than 2,000 delegates - including representatives form the space agencies of America, Russia, China, Canada, Japan and Europe - compared to the previous record high of 1200.
The figure was boosted by a further 500 students and more than 100 journalists from the specialist and general media.
The space show also attracted hundreds of local Glasgow people and school children when its doors were thrown open to the public from 10 am today (Thursday). It is also open Friday from 9 am to 12 noon.
Organiser John Harlow, President of the British Interplanetary Society, described the IAC 2008 as a “tremendous success”.
“The hard work has really paid off and we are delighted that a record number of people have enjoyed a Congress that has exceeded all our expectations,” he said.
“The quality of debate has been particularly high and again we have set a new record with more than 1600 technical and scientific presentations.
“Glasgow has been a great host city and many of our delegates have commented on the friendly hospitality they have received.”
Steven Purcell, Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, said:
“It has been a privilege to watch events unfold at the SECC this week - GCMB has been streaming some of the Congress proceedings live on seeglasgow.com. The people of Glasgow have responded magnificently to this opportunity to impress space experts from around the globe with their warmth, wit and, above all, curiosity. And, of course, there’s still a day to go, so I would encourage Glaswegians everywhere to take advantage of the free exhibition and lectures by astronauts in the Congress’s final hours.”
The Congress has also claimed a number of exclusives, including a presentation Thursday morning in the Clyde Auditorium by Dr Li Ming of the Chinese Academy of Space Technology.
He spoke to a packed audience about China’s manned space efforts, including unique pictures and animations from the country’s first spacewalk the previous weekend.
Local people still have the chance to attend the Congress finale tomorrow (Friday) afternoon at 2 pm in the Clyde Auditorium when astronauts will be appearing in person to make presentations and take questions from the audience. Entry is free.
Some of the conference proceedings are being streamed live on www.seeglasgow.com
ENDS Thursday 2 October 08
Further information from:
Clive Simpson, IAC 2008 PR & Media Office, Mobile: 07977 469741, email: clive@simcomm.co.uk
(or)
Nancy McLardie, Head of PR, Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, Tel: 0141 566 0830, Mobile: 07710 349 394, email: nancy.mclardie@seeglasgow.com