Ad astra 2021, as Paris brings Astronautical Congress into orbit

In 2021, the French capital will host 6,500 representatives of the international space community at the Paris Convention Centre. The news was officially announced on 5 October at the 2018 International Astronautical Congress in Bremen. In 2021, the Paris Convention Centre will host the IAC’s scientists, academics, engineers and international space leaders for the annual event. Pierre Schapira, President of the Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau, welcomed the association’s choice: “Last year, Paris hosted 1,110 conferences. The city remains a multipurpose destination that has lasting appeal for event organisers. The technology sector has the second-largest share of conference activity, and scientific centres are regularly sought after for holding conferences. Hosting the IAC bolsters Paris’s natural connection to the world of science.” Lionel Suchet, Chief Operating Officer of the National Centre for Space Studies (CNES), observed: “The CNES supported Paris’s bid for the IAC with great determination. The decision pays homage to France’s major role in the international space industry… IAC 2021 will be an excellent opportunity for the CNES – as well as the French space community – to bolster its international influence.” Pablo Nakhlé Cerruti, CEO of Viparis, added: “The Paris Convention Centre was specifically designed to host the very largest gatherings – international events that bring together several thousand participants. Since its opening less than a year ago, the Centre has already hosted eight world conferences, and 28 more are already in the planning stages through 2023. These excellent results represent a collective win for the CNES, Paris and Viparis, and encourages us to continue our efforts to provide world-class hospitality in an increasingly competitive environment.”  Viparis is a subsidiary of the Paris Ile-de-France Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield and manages the 10 main event venues in the Greater Paris region. Each year, it welcomes 10 million visitors and hosts 800 events across its venues, which include Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, Paris Le Bourget, Paris Nord Villepinte, Espace Champerret, the Palais des Congrès de Paris and the Palais des Congrès de Versailles.