The Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation (GBIC) hosted its first annual Space Symposium on Wednesday at the Texas Southmost College (TSC) campus, marking a significant milestone in the region’s growing role in the aerospace industry.
The event brought together influential voices from across the space sector, with a focus on innovation, collaboration, and the future of space exploration in the Rio Grande Valley.
The symposium opened with welcoming remarks from Brownsville Mayor John Cowen Jr. and GBIC CEO Gilberto Salinas, who both emphasized the importance of space industry growth in the region and its potential to transform Brownsville into a hub for aerospace technology and education.
The day featured a lineup of visionary guest speakers and groundbreaking panel discussions, including:
- Norman Garza, Executive Director of the Texas Space Commission.
- Ivan Rodriguez, Starbase Utilities Engineer at SpaceX.
- Jesus Charles, Director of Spacecraft Operations at Firefly Aerospace.
The highlight of the event was a keynote address by Tim Dodd, Everyday Astronaut, the popular science communicator known for making rocket science accessible and engaging for audiences around the world. His presentation inspired attendees with stories of space exploration, the power of curiosity, and the critical role of public engagement in the future of science and technology.
The GBIC’s Space Symposium is set to become an annual event, aiming to foster dialogue, collaboration, and opportunity as Brownsville continues to rise as a key player in the global space economy.