How many times have you been to a conference where it feels like the only thing that changed was the venue and location. The speakers are the same, the attendees are the same, the topics are the same! That’s been one of my frustrations with space conferences over the past few years, so I wanted to let you all know about an event coming up in Houston on December 2-3rd that’s going to be a little different. The American Astronautical Society is having their annual conference in Houston, just like they do every 2 years. However, this time, the only thing that will be the same is the fact that it’s in Houston. This years AAS Imagine09 Conference is focused on exploring remarkable ideas that are making a difference in the world and that could transform the space industry (if we choose to apply them). Some of the world’s most creative, productive and compelling individuals will actively engage attendees, providing knowledge and inspiration and encouraging breakthroughs in thought. The event has been designed to both spark imagination and to get people talking. If you have the chance to attend, you’ll hear Disney Imagineers talk about the use of narrative to create strategy and build teams and CEO’s talk about talks about designing the future. The entire list of speakers and topcis is included below. I hope you will be able to make it!

What: American Astronautical Society (AAS) Conference – Imagine 09. Ideas at Work.
When: December 2-3, 2009
Where: NASA Johnson Space Center Gilruth Center, Houston, TX
How to Register: Visit this website (Note: If you are a CS at JSC, use the NASA Satern system and look for announcements in JSC today)
More Information: AAS Website

Armen Berjikly talks about the power of uniting people who can improve each other’s lives - technology start-up entrepreneur, and founder/CEO of The Experience Project.

Steve Boehlke talks about the need for innovators to break (the right) rules - coach to leaders ranging from executives to rural farmers in developing countries, and founder/President of SFB Associates.

Charles Bolden (invited) talks about the importance of innovation to NASA - pilot, astronaut, U.S. Marine Corps General officer, and NASA Administrator.

Christopher Bronk talks about Gov 2.0 and NASA as the next Google - diplomat, Baker Institute Fellow in Technology, Society and Public Policy, Rice University.

Charles Chafer talks about the power of public participation space missions - high-tech entrepreneur, pioneer of commercial space, CEO of Space Services Inc., founding partner of Team Encounter, LLC, and co-founder of Celestis, Inc.

Dr. Franklin Chang-Diaz talks about looking beyond today’s propulsion technology - astronaut, inventor of the magnetoplasma rocket, entrepreneur, Chairman/CEO of Ad Astra Rocket Company.

Nancy Conrad talks about designing the future and what to do when the pipeline is dry - entrepreneur, innovator, philanthropist, founder/CEO of the Conrad Foundation.

Dr. Dan Durda talks about barn-storming the space frontier - planetary scientist, pilot, diver, Senior Research Scientist at Southwest Research Institute.

Dr. Betty Sue Flowers talks about the myths that shape our world - consultant/editor for TV series and book The Power of Myth with Joseph Campbell, host of radio series The Next 200 Years, Director of the LBJ Presidential Library, strategy consultant.

Richard Garriott talks about TBA - video game developer, entrepreneur, space tourist, Vice-chairman of the Board for Space Adventures, and a Trustee of the X PRIZE Foundation.

John Gibson talks about “people fusion” and open innovation’s power to solve tough technical problems - President of Halliburton Energy Services, amateur rocketeer, Executive Chairman/CEO of Paradigm Ltd.

Wayne Hale talks about choosing the future - NASA flight director, Space Shuttle Program Manager, blogger, Deputy Associate Administrator of Strategic Partnerships.

Bryan Guido Hassin talks about how, with just a nudge, individuals can change their behavior dramatically for the good of the whole - Head of Global Operations at Poken, technology start-up entrepreneur, CEO of Enistic, Inc.

Thomas B. Pickens, III talks about commercial use of weightlessness to benefit humankind - chairman/CEO for many companies during startup, growth, and turnaround in a challenging environment, President/CEO of Astrotech Corp.

Will Pomerantz talks about revolution through competition - co-founder of SpaceAlumni.com, zero gravity coach, Senior Director of Space Prizes for the X PRIZE Foundation.

Dr. Howard Prince talks about ethics, leadership and spaceflight - U.S. Army General Officer, clinical psychologist, Director of LBJ School’s Center for Ethical Leadership, University of Texas.

Bob Rogers talks about public engagement in 2010, and being careful what you wish for - themed entertainment producer, inventor, futurist, Academy Award nominee, founder/Chairman of BRC Imagination Arts.

Joe Rohde, creator of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, talks about the use of narrative to create strategy and build teams - adventurer, Executive Designer and VP/Creative at Walt Disney Imagineering.

Dr. Evan Thomas talks about sustainable development powered by social innovation and space technology - NASA life support engineer, Engineers Without Borders-USA team member, entrepreneur.

Brett Williams talks about using rockets to teach and inspire high school students - marine biologist, teacher at Fredericksburg High School, founder of SystemsGo student launch program.