Widely Attended Gatherings (WAGs) Determinations: A Busy Year for the Space Community in 2023
The year 2023 saw a plethora of high-profile gatherings in the space community, with notable events taking place from January to December. The list includes over 40 WAGs, showcasing the diversity and breadth of activities that brought together individuals from various organizations and backgrounds.
Among these events were the Aero Club Awards Reception, the KSC Astronaut Hall of Fame Event, and the KSC DNC Taste of Space Event. Other notable mentions include the JWST Launch Reception, the SpaceX Satellite Reception, the SPI GWU Dinner, and the AIAA Reception.
In addition to the space-focused gatherings, there were several events celebrating diversity and inclusion. The WIA Awards Dinner, for instance, honored women in the industry, while the SEA Summit featured a series of panels and discussions on topics such as STEM education and the future of space exploration.
For those interested in policy and advocacy, the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration Reception and the 2023 VASBA HR AUVSI Gala provided valuable opportunities to engage with like-minded individuals. Furthermore, events like the United Launch Alliance Satellite 2020 Reception and the SpaceX Reception highlighted the growing importance of satellite technology in space exploration.
The year also saw several WAGs focused on education and outreach. The Maryland Space Business Roundtable Lunch, for example, brought together business leaders to discuss opportunities for growth and development. Additionally, events like the Guidance Keough School of Global Affairs reception and the Boeing Orbital Flight Test Launch Events showcased the importance of STEM education in the space community.
The 2023 Debus Award Dinner, presented by the KSC, recognized outstanding contributions to the space industry. Similarly, the Wright Memorial Dinner, hosted by the Wright Brothers Association, honored pioneers in aviation and aerospace.
Overall, the list of WAGs in 2023 offers a glimpse into the vibrant and diverse world of space exploration and related activities. These events demonstrate the growing importance of the space community and its various stakeholders coming together to share knowledge, ideas, and best practices.
The year 2023 saw a plethora of high-profile gatherings in the space community, with notable events taking place from January to December. The list includes over 40 WAGs, showcasing the diversity and breadth of activities that brought together individuals from various organizations and backgrounds.
Among these events were the Aero Club Awards Reception, the KSC Astronaut Hall of Fame Event, and the KSC DNC Taste of Space Event. Other notable mentions include the JWST Launch Reception, the SpaceX Satellite Reception, the SPI GWU Dinner, and the AIAA Reception.
In addition to the space-focused gatherings, there were several events celebrating diversity and inclusion. The WIA Awards Dinner, for instance, honored women in the industry, while the SEA Summit featured a series of panels and discussions on topics such as STEM education and the future of space exploration.
For those interested in policy and advocacy, the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration Reception and the 2023 VASBA HR AUVSI Gala provided valuable opportunities to engage with like-minded individuals. Furthermore, events like the United Launch Alliance Satellite 2020 Reception and the SpaceX Reception highlighted the growing importance of satellite technology in space exploration.
The year also saw several WAGs focused on education and outreach. The Maryland Space Business Roundtable Lunch, for example, brought together business leaders to discuss opportunities for growth and development. Additionally, events like the Guidance Keough School of Global Affairs reception and the Boeing Orbital Flight Test Launch Events showcased the importance of STEM education in the space community.
The 2023 Debus Award Dinner, presented by the KSC, recognized outstanding contributions to the space industry. Similarly, the Wright Memorial Dinner, hosted by the Wright Brothers Association, honored pioneers in aviation and aerospace.
Overall, the list of WAGs in 2023 offers a glimpse into the vibrant and diverse world of space exploration and related activities. These events demonstrate the growing importance of the space community and its various stakeholders coming together to share knowledge, ideas, and best practices.
, and I'm still trying to process all the stunning scenery and foodie heaven they have there... Have you ever tried poke bowls? I swear, it's like a flavor explosion in your mouth! 
Anyway, back to space gatherings – I mean, who knew there were so many events happening throughout the year? It's impressive, but also kinda exhausting just thinking about all those conferences and award dinners... Do you think they'll ever have a Space Music Festival or something? That would be amazing, right? 
. I mean, who wouldn't want to attend an event about satellite tech or celebrate diversity and inclusion in space? 
It's awesome that they have events like the SEA Summit, which focus on STEM education and future space exploration plans 
. And can we talk about how cool it is that events like the Maryland Space Business Roundtable Lunch bring together business leaders to chat about growth and development opportunities for businesses in the industry? 
! It's amazing to see all these events happening around us that celebrate innovation and exploration. I hope more parents are getting involved too, it would be awesome if they had some kind of workshop or seminar for us to learn from the experts too 
and that our presence here can either be a positive or negative impact on future civilizations 
when people from different backgrounds and organizations come together to share their ideas and expertise, amazing things can happen 
it's like the old saying goes: "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts" 
I mean, can you believe all those awesome gatherings?! From awards receptions to diversity events, policy fairs to education seminars... it's amazing how much is happening in the space world! 
The fact that there are events like the SEA Summit and the Maryland Space Business Roundtable shows how serious people are about making progress in space exploration. And, of course, who can forget all those satellite tech events?! Satellites are the future, folks! 
So, overall, I think 2023 was an awesome year for the space community... can't wait to see what's next! 
. i'm hyped that there were so many opportunities for people to network and learn from each other in the industry 
it's amazing to see how far we've come in just a year 
what's your favorite WAG memory or highlight?
and seriously, why do we need so many dinners and award shows? it's just a fancy way to say "we're throwing money at people to stop talking about how broke the space industry is 
" anyway i guess it's nice that there are events for STEM education and outreach 
. Maybe it's because people recognize that space exploration isn't just about one company or organization; it's a global effort 
!
Anyway, it's awesome to see the diversity of events – from awards receptions to STEM-focused panels. Reminds me of when I was working in the field and attending conferences like this back in the day