Thriving Space Florida Agency targets North East Space Conference to turbocharge growth

A top-level delegation from Space Florida is making a flying visit to the North East next week on a mission to develop businesses and partnerships in the region and keep the USA and UK surging ahead in the space race.

Thriving Space Florida Agency targets North East Space Conference to turbocharge growth

Matt Chestnut, the vice president of business development at Space Florida, will give one of the keynote speeches at the North East Space Conference being held in Durham on Wednesday, June 25th.

And more of his team will be involved in the talk which follows: ’Florida and the North East - Priorities and Synergies', with dozens of individual meetings taking place during the day.

The Florida Space Agency’s decision to have a major presence at the Conference is a sign that the region’s burgeoning space sector is making waves outside the region.

And John Bone, chair of the North East Space Leadership group, which drives the day-long Conference, said: “It’s fantastic for us because it’s a demonstration that we’re on the map globally, as a region and the more connections we can make internationally, the better for us and for the UK.

“So I’m hoping we can do a lot more with Florida than just invite them to the Conference.

"And our region boasts a robust ecosystem of talent, cutting-edge facilities, and unparalleled support networks for space innovation. This conference underscores our commitment to nurturing a thriving space cluster, attracting global partners eager to collaborate on pioneering projects. We look forward to showcasing the North East's capabilities and forging lasting collaborations that will drive the future of space exploration."

“We want them to enjoy their visit, but this will be very much a working trip, so watch this space!”

Florida is the biggest space state in America, investing huge amounts of time and money in the sector, and the agency’s visit is a coup for the UK Government’s Department for Business and Trade and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

Gaby Bonetti, the UK Department for Business and Trade’s Director of Trade for Florida, who is based in the Sunshine State, said: “The Secretary of Commerce for the State of Florida, Alex Kelly, is leading a large delegation which will meet the UK Government in London on Monday, looking to build on current relationships.

“Most importantly, we’re bringing Space Florida, the agency that runs all space operations at Cape Canaveral, who are not only developers with a large budget but also a lease administrator at Cape Canaveral’s Merritt Island, where all the launch activity happens—they support every incoming space company.

“Since we have these Florida companies coming to London, we decided to take them around to the most important space clusters in the UK, which of course includes the North East and the Conference could not have been better timed for us.

“We have several key people, including the leadership of Space Florida, two investors, and some Florida companies exploring partnerships in the UK.

“They are extremely committed to developing relations with the UK, which is currently the number one source of foreign direct investment in Florida and has been for the past three years.”

From a North East perspective, Wednesday’s Conference now represents a great opportunity for hundreds of delegates who will pack into the Radisson Blu hotel in Durham to make connections with their American counterparts.

Gaby said: “We’ve seen massive investment in Florida, with SpaceX currently building two Starship launchpads and aiming to conduct multiple launches by 2028, which is almost incredible to imagine but certainly achievable looking at their track record.”

“The level of development in Florida is incredible, and we want to ensure the UK is part of that.

“It’s an incredibly exciting time for the space industry, which felt stagnant for decades but now feels like it’s reawakening, especially in the low Earth orbit segment.

“We’re seeing interest across the board, though satellite tech leads the way and all of this activity falls under the umbrella of Space Florida, whose Vice President of Development will be attending the North East Space Conference and delivering a keynote address.

“He’ll provide a bird’s-eye view of all the exciting developments happening in Florida’s space sector, where, in addition to space exploration, there’s also a need for space infrastructure in the Cape Canaveral area, known as the Space Coast.

“Demand is enormous, and there’s limited capacity to build everything that’s required—from launchpads to bridges, roads, and water systems.

“We’re in the middle of an incredible boom, and everything feels like it’s happening all at once and much of this is driven by international connections and political support.

“My job and the job of my team is to make sure the UK is part of this momentum.

“We’re looking at UK companies that are ready to export and connecting them to Florida’s ecosystem, and we’re also working with Florida companies ready to go international.

“Some of these companies are opening offices in the UK and are part of the current delegation, and the seriousness of Florida’s commitment to the UK is reflected in the weight of the delegation they’re sending, which is quite an honour.

“So, I hope the delegation enjoys their time in the UK, but this is definitely a working trip with a full schedule.

“That applies to the North East as well, and the Conference has been great in giving us a dedicated Florida panel - the prestigious speakers are: Rufus Drabble, British Consul General, Miami; Matt Chesnut, of Space Florida; A.J. Ripin, founder/investor, Merging Traffic LLC; Jackson Streeter, director of University of Florida Innovate Accelerator and Nicholas Mangold, deputy sector director Advanced Manufacturing North America, UK Department of Business and Trade’

“It means we can have all the key stakeholders in one room, including local UK companies who can ask questions and follow up with us afterwards.”

“We’re really excited, because this is how business gets done.”

John Bone added: “It’s very exciting for our region and the Conference is going to act as a catalyst, which is a tribute to the hard work put in by Space North East England and its partners over the years in developing the region’s space cluster and focusing interest on the capabilities the North East has on its doorstep.”