#AIMHIGHER
ROMANIA

June 11 - 14, 2023 in Bucharest, Romania

A series of public outreach and B2B events to inspire and excite the local community in Romania using the awe and wonder of space exploration and to promote US-Romania relations.

For four days in June we will celebrate Romania’s role in the Artemis Program with NASA and ESA, inspire the public about pathways to rewarding careers and to expand opportunities in space and tech in the region

Sunday, June 11 and Monday, June 12

SPACE DAY ROMANIA as part of SPACEFEST at Politenhica University

Family Friendly day with astronauts and giant space art project

Location: Politehnica University of Bucharest

FREE FOR THE PUBLIC

Tuesday, June 13

SPACE & TECH INNOVATION SUMMIT

B2B and space business, development and investment opportunities as well as discussions about diversity and inclusivity in space

Location: Palace of Parliament - Nicolae

Invitation Only

Wednesday, June 14

AIM HIGHER GALA

Celebrating US Romania Cooperation and Romania’s role in the future of space exploration

Location: Athenee Palace, Diplomate Ballroom

Invitation Only

SPACE DAY ROMANIA

as part of SPACEFEST

Sunday, June 11 and

Monday, June 12

Families and students will get a chance to hear from real astronauts and ask them questions during an astronaut chat, meet & greets and participate in hands on space activities.,

FREE EVENT FOR ALL AGES

Location: Politehnica University Bucharest

Astronaut Panel Discussion at Science Museum by Matt Porteous.jpg

CONFIRMED ASTRONAUTS:

SPACE & TECH INNOVATION SUMMIT

Tuesday, June 13

Highlighting economic development, workforce development, B2B opportunities and space business, and investment opportunities. We'll also discuss ways to promote diversity and inclusivity in space and tech.

INVITATION ONLY

Location: Palace of Parliament, Nicolae Balcescu Hall

CONFIRMED SPEAKERS

FEATURED SPEAKERS

Diana-Loreta Păun

Presidential Adviser

Department of Public Health

Romanian Presidency

Kathleen Kavalec

United States Ambassador to Romania

(Virtual)

Chirag Parikh

Deputy Assistant to the President and Executive Secretary

National Space Council, USA

The White House

(Virtual)

Sebastian Burduja

Minister of Research, Innovation and Digitalization

Government of Romania

Gen. Anton-Mugurel Rog

Director al Centrului Național CYBERINT

Government of Romania

David van Weel

Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges,

NATO

(Virtual)

Pamela Ward

Regional Senior Commercial Officer for Southeast Europe,

U.S. Dept of Commerce

Sabin Sărmaș

President of Information Technology & Communications

Government of Romania

SUMMIT MC

Madalina Dobrovolschi

Radio Show Host & TV Presenter

GALA MC

Adrian Nartea

Actor & TV Presenter

Andreea Paul

Economist, PhD, Conf. Univ. ASE, President of think-tank INACO - The Initiative for Competitiveness, Romania

Alina Vizireanu

Co-founder, Aim Space, Business Development Manager at Metavisionaries

Member of the IAF Space Education and Outreach Committee (SEOC)

Dorina Girbovan

Economist, PhD, Conf. Univ. ASE, President of think-tank INACO - The Initiative for Competitiveness, Romania

Dr. Eng. Valentin Silivestru

Dr. Valentin Silivestru

President & Director

COMITI

SPACE DAY & SUMMIT MODERATORS & SPEAKERS

Ana Cătăuță

Member of the Committee for Industries, Chamber of Deputies, Romanian Parliament

Bogdan Bazga

Int'l expert on food security

National coordinator for UN FAO & OCDE/COAG, Associate Univ. Professor

Gabriel Petrea

Deputy General Director

University of Politehnica Bucharest

Dr. Eng. Valentin Silivestru

Dr. Valentin Silivestru

President & Director

COMOTI

Dorina Girbovan

HESA 2018 International Ambassador via NASA Education at @HoneywellEducators

Alina Vizireanu

Co-founder, Aim Space, Business Development Manager at Metavisionaries, Member of the IAF Space Education and Outreach Committee (SEOC)

Andreea Paul

Economist, PhD, Conf. Univ. ASE, President of think-tank INACO - The Initiative for Competitiveness, Romania

Daniel Crunteanu

Dean of the Aerospace Engineering Faculty, UPB

Ionut Ciubotaru

Vice President of Business Development

OMV Petrom

Rodrigo Sá

Chief Strategy Officer

Roots Ventures,

Saudi Arabia

Inderpal Bhandari

Global Chief Data Officer

IBM

(Virtual)

Bogdan Niculae

Head of the Space Business Unit

Thales Romania

Simona Sandru

Founder and CEO

Global Women Techleaders

Dan Goldin

Former NASA Administrator

1992-2001

(Virtual)

Manlio Di Stefano

Senior Strategic Avisor

Axiom Space

Daniela Mariscu

Deputy Head of Launchers and Advanced Space Propulsion Department at COMOTI

Ana Prica

Chief SDG Strategy Officer, AFIST

Former Director at Oracle

Marius Posa

Secretary of State, MCID

Nicoleta Safca

Co=Founder & CEO, AFIST

X-ray Imaging Laboratory Coordinator - ELI-NP

Shelli Brunswick

Chief Operations Officer

The Space Foundation, USA

(Virtual)

Radu Mihalache

Head of Research and Development for Satellites and Space Equipment Department

Theodora Andreescu

Deputy Head of Launchers and Advanced Space Propulsion Department at COMOTI

Diana Ţarfulea

Director of Engineering Adobe Romania, Diversity & Inclusion /Women@Adobe Site Lead | Board of Advisors Women in Tech Romania

Octavian Nicolae Lupu

Head of the Aeronautical, Maritime, Satellite and Amateur Unit, ANCOM

Dr. Ioana Cozmuta

Member-elect IAA, ISS Nat'l LAB

User Advisory Council;

Honorary Member, Romania's Ministry of Innovation Council,

CEO of G-Space, Former NASA

Laura Crabtree

Co-Founder & CEO

Epsilon3, Former SpaceX

(Virtual)

Fábio Teixeira

CEO at Terraform Industries

Analog Astronaut

Scott Cunningham

Entrepreneur & Investor,

Global Change Leader, IEEE ICSIM

Dr. Milan Krajnc

Academician prof.ddr.sc.ddr.hc. l Director of Academic Affairs l Professor of Personality Psychology & Public Management

Christina Korp

Astronaut Wrangler

Founder & CEO

Purpose Entertainment &

SPACE for a Better World

Oana Tucker

Founder & CEO

OP Global Events

AIM HIGHER GALA ROMANIA

Wednesday, June 14

Celebrating Romania's future in space as part of NASA and ESA's missions to the Moon on Artemis.
INVITATION ONLY

Location: Athenee Palace, Diplomate Ballroom

Special Musical Performance

Margie Gruba is a renowned singer from Rapid City, South Dakota in the USA. She has wowed audiences with her vocal talents all over the United States and in the UK. She performed at galas celebrating the historic anniversaries of Apollo 11 at Kennedy Space Center in multiple years including the Apollo 11 50th Anniversary in 2019 and for the AIM HIGHER GALA aka the Space Oscars in London in 2022.

This will be her first time performing in Romania.

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Special Musical Performance

Madalina Barbu is a soprano with the Bucharest National Opera. She will perform the Romanian National Anthem to open the Aim Higher Gala.

RECEPTION & AFTER PARTY

Special DJ & Musical Performance by CADY

Follow on IG @iamcadyofficial

SPECIAL MUSICAL
PERFORMANCE
by REMUS NOVAC

A famous saxophone player who’s heartfelt, humble melodies are wooing live audiences on stages across the world. Remus has been singing for over a decade and composing his own songs. He was excited to publish his own record early this year.

Follow on IG @remusnovak

PLATINUM Sponsors:

GOLD Sponsors:

Other Sponsors:

Official Hotel Sponsor & Partner:

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Book your room

An IHG striking style hotel on Victory Avenue

With a legacy of over 100 years, InterContinental Athénée Palace Bucharest is steeped in culture and heritage, overlooking the George Enescu Square and offering guests views across the Romanian Athenaeum and Royal Palace. The hotel offers contemporary guest rooms, two restaurants, a bar and a secluded summer terrace where you can escape from the hustle of the busy streets of Bucharest city centre. Host clients in the large ballroom or indulge in a massage in the spa or a dip in the indoor pool.

Official Ground Transportation Partner: