So what results when a small group of entrepreneurial space ventures get together to talk about commercial space opportunities in Canada? Well after several years of informal meetings at various events across the country you get the idea to start an organization to help the nascent Canadian space commerce industry. And after a year and a half of planning the Canadian Space Chamber of Commerce is born. Here's the official description of the organization:
"The Canadian Space Chamber of Commerce is a collaboration of Canadian entrepreneurs interested in the commercial opportunities available in the development of space and opening the space frontier. The Chamber exists to advance a favorable economic, legal and political environment for Canadian entrepreneurs in this field, and to promote positive public recognition of the socioeconomic benefits to all Canadians from investing in this development."
Last Thursday, May 10, I attended the first board meeting in Toronto and was pleased with the level of dedication of the people there. I was not involved in the formation of the organization at the beginning but was nominated for election to the board of directors and was elected. However since my time is limited I did inform the organization that I could not fill one of the officer positions.
It will take time to built the organization and I have offered my advice and will help when I can. In the last 5 years I've seen a shift in commercial space exploration. The industry is truly in it's infancy with new opportunities now available to entrepreneurial visionaries where five years ago none practically existed.
It's an exciting time and I'm confident we can grow the industry in Canada.