AIAA HyTASP Program Committee Recommendations for Conference Growth

1. AIAA HyTASP Program Committee Recommendations for Conference Growth

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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