The Leonard R. Sugerman Public Forum is an annual event to help inform the public about the progress of the commercial space business in Southern New Mexico.  This year’s event, “Building a Spaceport Community” is free and open to the public.  It will be held on Tuesday, October 20 at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum beginning at 8:30 a.m. and ending at 1:00 p.m.

This year’s forum will focus on the roles that various private and public sector organizations will have in building a spaceport community.

  • The role of Government will include speakers from local, state and federal governmental offices.
  • The role of Business will include speakers from Spaceport America, Virgin Galactic, economic development agencies, the banking community and the construction industry.
  • The role of Education will include speakers from New Mexico State University, Dona Ana Community College, and Southern New Mexico public school systems.

Following the panel presentations, Steve Landeene, Executive Director of Spaceport America, will provide an update on Spaceport America.  There will be time allotted for the public to network with the panelists prior to adjournment. The complete agenda, including panelists, is available on the Sugerman Forum website.

The event is hosted by the New Mexico Space Grant Consortium and sponsored by New Mexico State University, the Physical Science Laboratory and the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce.  The forum is held each year in conjunction with the International Symposium for Personal and Commercial Spaceflight.