Cities committee

Jin Hyeok PARK
Seoul

Korea

Scientific Advisory Committee

Dr Min Seok KIM
Vice President
Korea Aerospace Industries Association

Korea

Mark Rocket
Kea Aerospace /
Aerospace New Zealand

Christchurch
New Zealand

Young & Early Professionals Committee

Cities Committee

Details

Gerald Howard

Lausanne – Switzerland

20 years in the domain of events structured on the three main pillars of the world of congresses: PCO, Associations and Convention Bureau. No wonder Gerald has always been interested by the world of events. its international profile and sociologist in communication could not found a better ground to cherish his appetite for exchanging and learning.

But it was in 2016 when for Lausanne he won the EUCLID bid, he discovered his new passion- the world of Space Innovation and technology. 8 years where he supported the community of Swiss Space Internationally. A realm of future where you find all the ingredients for a market of sharing, learning’s, innovation and technology. A world where its creator is the space community, universe its food and recipes endless science innovative projects.

Space is an international market that will always need help to go further, beyond the expecting. Convention Bureau are a solution. We, the CVBs need to work together to support that market. The project of Space Cities network was born.

Lausanne space business events : Lausanne Montreux Congress

Claire Hector-Taylor

Christchurch – New Zealand

Claire Hector-Taylor is Business Development Manager – International, in the Business Events team at ChristchurchNZ – the economic development and profile agency for Christchurch. The agency is focused on shaping an economy where people and places thrive.

Claire is focused on building partnerships with local experts in Christchurch and New Zealand, and looking for new opportunities to bring international conferences and events to the city.

Claire is particularly focused on the city’s key sector clusters – strategic strength sectors which are supported by progressive ecosytems connecting enterprise, education, and government. One of these sectors is aerospace and future transport.

Claire brings experience in a range of fields and a broad range of skills, alongside local knowledge and a passion for New Zealand’s second largest city which she now calls home.

Claire is your key point of contact if you would like to get in touch directly with someone in Christchurch.

Christchurch space business events: ChristchurchNZ

Daniel Palomo

Houston – USA

Daniel Palomo is the Director of International Sales for Houston First Corporation. He has created and implemented business development, sales, and marketing strategies in the international meetings market globally. Daniel previously served as ICCA 1st Vice President Worldwide, ICCA Board Member, and ICCA North America Chapter Chair. He also served as Strategic Business Development Chair for BestCities Global Alliance and as Chair of the Texas Medical Center’s International Affairs Advisory Council.

Daniel has taught strategic marketing and business administration courses to undergraduate students in Chile and conducted research on social development and rural poverty in Colombia. He received three scholarships from the governments of Mexico and Spain to pursue postgraduate studies in the EU and the Americas. Daniel worked as a professor and researcher at academic institutions in Latin America and has lived in Mexico, Spain, Belgium, the UK, Colombia, Chile, and the US.

He holds a degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Tec de Monterrey in Mexico, an MBA from ESADE Business & Law School in Barcelona with a specialization at KU Leuven in Belgium, and an MSc in Politics of Development in Latin America from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). Daniel was also a PhD candidate in Government at LSE and PhD candidate in Management Sciences at ESADE.

Houston space business events: Houston First Corporation

Jin Hyeok PARK

Seoul – Korea

Jin Hyeok PARK (Jin) is the Director of the Seoul Convention Bureau at the Seoul Tourism Organization, responsible for Association Meetings, international organizations, and global cooperation.

With 25 years of experience in the Business Events sector, he has a proven track record of attracting and successfully hosting numerous international events. Notably, he launched the Seoul MICE Alliance, which now comprises 350 member companies across 10 sectors, all working to ensure the success of MICE events in Seoul.

Jin is ready to leverage his extensive network, built over years of connecting local industries and communities, to make your business event truly exceptional.

Seoul space business events: MICE Seoul

Scientific Advisory Committee

Details

Grégoire Bourban

Space Exchange

Lausanne – Switzerland

head of Space Exchange Switzerland (SXS) a national platform funded by the Swiss Space Office (SSO) of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). SXS purpose is to support Swiss organisations and individuals with a platform to prepare for the future challenges in the space field. It is implemented by EPFL, as leading house, ETH Zurich, University of Zurich, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, and Università della Svizzera italiana.

Previously he was working at Space Innovation (former Swiss Space Center) as deputy director in charge of the national affairs and the relationship with the European Space Agency (ESA).
In this position he was coordinator of national studies funded by the Swiss Space Office of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI/SSO) between industries and academic laboratories in Switzerland.

Emmanuelle David

Executive Director
eSpace Centre

Lausanne – Switzerland

Emmanuelle has 10 years’ experience in space transportation in academia, agency and industry from pre-development projects up to launch operations. She holds Space Engineering degrees both from the University of Technology of Compiegne, France, and the Technical University of Braunschweig, Germany. She has completed in 2021 a certificate of advanced studies at the Swiss Institute of Technology in Zürich in Technology and Public Policy : Policy Process. She is International Astronautical Federation Space transportation committee and member of the board of the EUCASS- european conference for aerospace science.

She is engaged in increasing diversity and inclusion in scientific and engineering fields being a mentor program for the Swisstecladies and is also a member of the management group from the Swisstecladies Network from the swiss academy of Science (SATW). She is a member of Women in Aerospace and support the Space Generation Advisory Council “Our Giant leap” initiative.

William Harris

President & CEO

Space Center Houston

Houston – USA

William T. Harris oversees the strategic direction of the space exploration learning destination, Space Center Houston, engaging visitors in learning about the past, present and future of human space exploration. Space Center Houston is the No. 1 international attraction in the greater Houston area, generating a $185.5 million annual regional economic impact. The center is a nonprofit, Smithsonian Affiliate, the Official Visitor Center of NASA Johnson Space Center, and was named “Best Museum in Texas” by USA Today. Welcoming 1.3 million annual visitors, the center is renown for its robust STEM learning programs for youth, educators and program participants.

Harris has more than 40 years in nonprofit leadership including senior position at museums and universities, where he led numerous multimillion-dollar fundraising campaigns, principal and major gifts, marketing, communications, government relations and strategy development. In 2019, he was recognized by the Houston Business Journal as the Most Admired CEO.

In March 2023, Harris was appointed by United States President Joe Biden to the National Museum and Library Sciences Board of Directors where he advances, empowers and shapes policy for America’s museums, libraries and related organization, and allocates grant funding through competitive applications. He serves as Board President of the Association of Science Museum Directors (ASMD), on the board of directors and chair of the grants committee for the QueensCare Charitable Foundation, on the board of directors for the Greater Houston Partnership and is immediate past chair of the board of directors and executive committee of the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC).

Dr Sarah Kessans

University of Canterbury
Christchurch – New Zealand

Dr Sarah Kessans is a lecturer in the UC College of Engineering’s School of Product Design. As a biochemist and synthetic biologist with a passion for space exploration, Sarah is working to create solutions for sustaining life both on and off Earth, as well as developing technology that will make this possible. As a committee member of Aerospace New Zealand, Sarah is committed to facilitating relationships between the aerospace industry and the tertiary education sector, ensuring a progression of qualified talent into the ecosystem as it expands. 

Dr Min Seok KIM

Vice President
Korea Aerospace Industries Association

Seoul – Korea

Dr. Kim earned his Ph.D. in Business Administration from Korea University. His career began as a Senior Researcher at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA), followed by a position as a military affairs correspondent at Joong Ang Ilbo, one of Korea’s major newspapers. He later became the spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense and subsequently served as Director of the Military and Security Research Center at Joong Ang Ilbo. In 2023, he was appointed Vice President of the Korea Aerospace Industries Association (KAIA).

Prof. Jean-Paul Kneib

Academic Director eSpace
and Head of Space Innovation

Lausanne – Switzerland

Jean-Paul Kneib is a Full Professor of Astrophysics at EPFL, Director of the EPFL Laboratory of Astrophysics (LASTRO), Academic Director of the EPFL Space Center, and the Swiss Scientific Delegate to the SKAO Council.

Prof. Kneib specializes in cosmology, radio astronomy, fiber-positioner robotic systems, and space sustainability, among other areas. He holds a master’s degree in Astrophysics and Space Technology and a PhD in Astrophysics from Toulouse University. He was awarded an ERC Advanced grant for the project LIght on the DArk along with many other scientific and innovation grants. He has served in many telescope time allocation committees and (e.g. XMM-Newton, Hubble and JWST) as well as many grant allocation committees (e.g. ERC, SNF, ANR).

Prof. Dong Hun LEE

School Of Space Research
Kyung Hee University

Seoul – Korea

Professor Lee is a pioneering figure in Korean space physics, introducing the field to the Korean space science community. He has collaborated internationally on research projects with NASA, NSF, and DOE, and played key roles in organizing global conferences such as IUGG/IAGA, URSI, AGU, and COSPAR.

Recently, he served as Chair of the Scientific Program Committee for COSPAR 2024 in Busan. Lee holds a Ph.D. (1990) and M.S. (1986) from the University of Minnesota, and a B.S. (1985) from Seoul National University. He has also served as Dean at Kyung Hee University and worked with the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) on R&D budgeting for space science. Currently, he leads a government-backed consortium focused on space weather research, including innovative work on LEO constellations and AI-driven solar magnetic field models.

Arturo Machuaca

Ellington Airport &
Houston Spaceport

Houston – USA

As the Director of Ellington Airport and Houston Spaceport, Arturo Machuca is a tireless advocate of commercial space and a dedicated leader in the aerospace and aviation community.

Under his leadership, the Houston Spaceport has become the fastest-growing commercial spaceport in the country. In doing so, it’s become a major economic driver, injecting millions of dollars and hundreds of jobs into the regional economy.

Arturo is recognized in the industry as an innovator and thought leader. In August, Governor Greg Abbott appointed Arturo Machuca to the Aerospace and Aviation Advisory Committee to assist in the state’s economic development efforts to recruit and retain aerospace and aviation jobs and investments in Texas.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Hotels and Tourism Administration from Universidad Regiomontana. Arturo and his wife have three children and reside in Friendswood.


Emma Renowden

Aerospace Cluster Lead

Christchurch – New Zealand

Emma is an experienced strategic partnerships manager who is passionate about the role of innovation and technology in addressing some of the world’s most significant challenges. In her current position as the Aerospace Cluster Lead at ChristchurchNZ, Emma is responsible for developing an ambitious city strategy for the sector, with the goal of harnessing the incredible economic opportunities it presents. Prior to her current role, Emma’s career primarily focused on health tech, where she held various positions in New Zealand and the UK, all centred around innovation within the health and disability sector.

Mark Rocket

President Kea Aerospace / 

Aerospace New Zealand


Christchurch – New Zealand

Internet and aerospace entrepreneur, Mark founded two internet companies in 1998 and sold one of those ventures to Telecom Yellow Pages in 2006. Mark was the first New Zealander to book a ticket with Virgin Galactic and was the seed investor and co-Director of Rocket Lab from 2007 to 2011. In 2018 Mark started up Kea Aerospace to develop commercial aerospace projects and is committed to growing the New Zealand aerospace ecosystem.

Kevin Tipton

Sr. Director, Aerospace and Aviation

Greater Houston Partnership

Houston – USA

Kevin is a member of the Greater Houston Partnership’s (the Partnership) Economic Development Division as Sr. Director of Aerospace and Aviation. The Partnership is the largest chamber of commerce and economic development organization in the Houston area and serves a 12-county region. Kevin manages the Partnership’s domestic and international economic development efforts in the aerospace and aviation industry and supports companies considering expanding, relocating, or investing in the greater Houston region. Kevin’s area of responsibility includes NASA Johnson Space Center, NASA Johnson Space Center Exploration Park, home to the Texas A&M Space Institute and the American Center for Manufacturing and Innovation (ACMI) industrial park, two award-winning international airports, the world’s first urban commercial Spaceport, 35-plus general aviation airports, and approximately 500 aerospace and aviation-related organizations.

Kevin has over 30 years of experience in the aerospace and aviation industry, with in-depth expertise in business development and global marketing. Kevin understands firsthand the economic impact the aerospace and aviation industry has on communities, having relocated a corporate headquarters, built regional locations, and doubled existing workforces based on contract awards. More importantly, he understands the value and efficiency of knowing who to contact to initiate property searches, having access to local business leaders, having an advocate for regulatory issues, being knowledgeable of workforce development grants, and learning how to apply for available incentives.

Throughout his career, he has successfully helped organizations achieve financial growth by developing a business vision, building strong brands, implementing integrated marketing and sales strategies, identifying strategic partners, and new business opportunities. Kevin is a graduate of Wichita State University and holds three master’s degrees. He has completed the MIT Professional Education course: New Space Economy, Technologies, Products, Services, and Business Models and is currently enrolled at the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute, where he is working towards becoming a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD). He and his family have lived in Houston for over 25 years.

Young & Early Professionals Committee

Details

Rushil Gentejohann

President UC Aerospace

New Zealand

Rushil is currently in his third year of studying a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours, specialising in Mechatronics Engineering, at the University of Canterbury. He’s previously interned at Rocket Lab, and continues to combine his passions for Aerospace and Technology as the Technical Coordinator for Aerospace New Zealand, creating and managing the Aerospace New Zealand website, associations and related technical media.

Manuel Gerold

ETH Zurich

President Aris-Space
Co-Founder & COO Ask-earth

Switzerland

Kang San KIM

(Antonio Stark)

Asia-Pacific Regional Coordinator
Space Generation Advisory Council

Korea

Antonio is a Korean-born space policy and strategy expert. He is the Global Alliance Lead for ispace Inc., a Japanese company providing lunar lander and cislunar operations services.

He was formerly the Country Manager for HEO and a Partner Sales Executive at Planet Labs – both satellite companies serving the Indo-Pacific area with space-based monitoring data. Antonio is also an underwater analog astronaut on the UMIC team in China, becoming certified as a PADI Astronaut Diver.

Antonio serves on multiple space NGOs, including the Space Generation Advisory Council, Space Court Foundation, Interstellar Foundation, and Moon Village Association. He has received the Emerging Space Leader Award from the International Astronautical Federation, the Young Talent Award from the Asia-Pacific Satellite Communications Council, and the ISDC Excellence Award from the National Space Society.

Marie Vanolli

Oxford university

Board member Climate Bridges & SGAC

(Space Generation Advisory Council)

Lausanne – Switzerland

Marie Vanolli is a young public policy professional based in Lausanne, Switzerland. She currently serves as the Space Generation Advisory Council’s national representative of students and young professionals in the Swiss space sector.

Marie’s previous involvement in the space sector ranges from crafting policy recommendations for the development of commercial space in Africa to leading rocket-building student organizations and writing about the potential of Venus exploration or the ethics of lunar activities.

She is currently a Master of Public Policy student at the University of Oxford and has a background in political economy and the humanities. In addition to space, she has experience in the sustainability sector and is passionate about connecting both fields of policymaking.