DENVER, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Colorado Space Business Roundtable (CSBR) traveled more than 1,000 miles from Aug. 29 to Sept. 2 to four Colorado communities - Grand Junction, Naturita, Montrose and Durango – for its fourth annual Aerospace Business Development road trip. The trip showed how the Colorado aerospace industry benefits all communities across the state, highlighted opportunities for local businesses to become aerospace suppliers, and promoted STEM education.

"This year's road trip introduced CSBR and members like Lockheed Martin to great companies in Western Colorado that have the potential to expand their work in the aerospace industry," said Joe Rice, Director of Government Relations at Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT). "This could create jobs in Western Colorado and provide products and services needed by aerospace companies across the nation."

CSBR's Aerospace Business Development road trips connect companies, suppliers, subcontractors and other stakeholders with a goal of furthering the industry across the state. Western Colorado has companies with the abilities to produce parts for planes, spacecraft, and satellites, so this road trip focused on how to take advantage of these capabilities.

"With Colorado employing more aerospace workers per capita than any other state, this road trip is very important to local businesses and potential partnerships," said Colorado Lieutenant Governor Donna Lynne. "Businesses of all sizes had the opportunity to engage with each other, which will help expand the aerospace industry even further in Colorado."

Local partners include CLUB 20, West End Economic Development Corporation, La Plata County Economic Development Alliance and Montrose Economic Development Corporation. Local businesses met with larger aerospace companies such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Sierra Nevada Corporation, Teledyne Brown Engineering, United Launch Alliance and many others.

"We were excited to get a chance to show our passion for aerospace and what the western slope has to offer. We had the opportunity to participate in the CSBR roundtable events and supplier symposium," said Mike Sneddon, President of Wren Industries. "These events were very informative and the networking opportunities were fantastic. This time it was our opportunity to pass along the hospitality and hopefully open eyes to the new and exciting things we are doing. It was nice to return the favor."            

To view more photos from the road trip, click here.

About The Colorado Space Business Roundtable

The Colorado Space Business Roundtable brings together aerospace stakeholders from industry, government, and academia for roundtable discussions. Together we are the voice of Colorado Aerospace from startups to legacy space companies. We strive to be a collective forum for industry collaboration.

Our mission is to promote the growth of space and space-related industry in Colorado for existing and entrepreneurial businesses and activities. Develop and strengthen relationships among all members of the Colorado high-tech community. Serve as a forum for the presentation and exchange of business-building information. Support educational initiatives designed to satisfy Colorado's large growth in high-tech employment needs. Attract more space related businesses to Colorado. For more information about CSBR visit www.coloradosbr.org, follow us on Facebook at Colorado Space Business Roundtable or Twitter @COAerospace.

About Lockheed Martin

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 98,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.

Media Contact:
Elizabeth Howard, 303-305-9273, elizabeth.w.howard@lmco.com

SOURCE Lockheed Martin