SIAA Releases 2021-23 growth strategy
The Space Industry Association of Australia board has released its new growth strategy for 2021-2023. The SIAA now has 105 corporate members and 589 individual members and is implementing a change program to reflect the major shifts in the space industry business environment since 2019. These include the rapid establishment of the Australian Space Agency as a regulator and industry development agency, and the Commonwealth government’s focus on developing a robust and sustainable space industry based on R&D and innovation.
“Our vision is to be the pre-eminent peak body promoting the development of Australia’s space industry,” the strategy documents says. “Our mission is to empower our industry to build a professional, sovereign, and sustainable space economy for Australia. In pursuit of this mission and vision we have two objectives:
- To deliver premium services, events, and opportunities for the Australian space industry
- To be the voice and forum for the space industry in Australia
“In our next evolution we must focus on providing more valuable services, events, and opportunities to Australia’s space industry through the support of our highly engaged membership.”
The majority of SIAA members want to see a continued collective effort to promote Australia’s space industry development but also see a need for the SIAA to step up its operations, particularly in policy advocacy and media engagement.
As the government has committed to a ten-year plan to lift both the size and revenue of Australia’s space sector, the SIAA says it is reasonable to progress to a more premium membership model: increasing membership fees whilst at the same time ensuring it delivers more value to the industry.
“We will deliver value to the Australian space industry in two ways,” the Strategy says. “Firstly, we will provide a business exchange to develop greater opportunities, including through:
- Developing networking events within the space industry
- Connecting space SMEs with prime contractors
- Providing forums to engage with governments and regulators
- Connecting to adjacent industries, investors, the wider space economy, and international opportunities
- Credentialling and promoting Australian space industry through the Australian Space Industry Capability Database
- Coordinating industry priorities and opportunities (across Australia’s defence, strategic, commercial, and civilian space industries).
- Convening the industry through our signature annual conference.
- Publishing reports and hosting conversations that give valuable industry insights
“Secondly, we will provide a voice for industry interests in Australia and internationally, including through:
- Building consensus on industry priorities
- Developing industry policy
- Monitoring government and international policy and regulation
- Advocating, both publicly and privately, for policy measures that will promote the growth of the Australian space industry.
- Speaking to the media and public about Australia’s space industry
- Representing the Australian space industry on key advisory bodies and initiatives within Australia and globally.”
The strategy has been developed through close consultation with SIAA’s Advisory Council and wider stakeholders, the Association says. The first stage in this plan has been to professionalise SIAA’s operations through the employment of full-time staff, including the CEO and Executive Officer. “In this next stage we will continue to professionalise SIAA, improve our advocacy capabilities, boost our industry events and engagement, and commence publishing industry insights. All of this will ensure we can both develop greater business opportunities and provide a voice and forum for the Australian space industry.”
To download a copy of the strategy, contact the SIAA through its web site.