From the GPS on your phone to the satellites monitoring climate change, the space sector is more connected to our daily lives than we might assume. The industry behind it, however, has been slower to reflect the diversity of the world it serves. As part of the Amsterdam Space Symposium, the impact programme, The Champions x Change, set out to address this disparity directly. On March 2nd 2026 at the NEMO science museum, a handful of socially-aware, early-career space professionals (Changemakers) collaborated with established leaders (Champions) to brainstorm how to make the space sector more inclusive, diverse, and equitable, so that every voice has the power to shape its future.
Participants joined a welcoming fair, formal introductions, and a dynamic workshop, where five Champion–Changemaker pairs co-created 100-day action plans outlining tangible steps toward inclusive, community-driven impact in space and technology. By connecting leaders and emerging talent, the programme turned inclusive ambition into practical outcomes, providing students and young professionals with mentorship, industry insight, and direct pathways into a more accessible sector.
Following the Champions x Change programme, The Amsterdam Space Symposium took root at the Beurs van Berlage for two full days of plenary sessions, expert panels, and cross-sector dialogue.
The inaugural event brought together interdisciplinary professionals from research, industry, and policy to explore how the space sector can respond to its most urgent challenges. Discussions spanned security and defence, climate monitoring, and sustainability, with key insights shared by NATO, the European Space Agency, and the European Commission.
During the symposium, the official launch of the Netherlands Space Agency (NLSA) also took place, highlighting the growing relevance of space innovation in the Dutch context.
The Amsterdam Convention Bureau played a central role in bringing the symposium and impact programme to life, connecting organisers with local partners and ensuring the programme was grounded in Amsterdam’s knowledge and innovation ecosystem. By facilitating collaboration across industry, academia, and community networks - including NL Space Campus, TU Delft, InHolland, and Space Lady Night Out - ACB helped translate ideas generated at the symposium into practical, city-wide impact.
The Amsterdam Convention Bureau helps international conferences translate ambition into impact. From connecting global organisers with local partners to designing programmes that leave lasting legacies, Amsterdam provides the ecosystem, expertise, and experience to make your next event transformative. No matter where you are in your planning journey, we're here to help turn your vision into reality.
