Aerospace company Boeing has entered into a naming rights partnership with Tech Port Center + Arena, the San Antonio-based facility dubbed the most technologically advanced lifestyle entertainment venue in the world.
Boeing has entered into two separate seven-year agreements connected to the venue, which opened in May and is operated by ASM Global. Under a deal struck directly with ASM, the facility will now been known as the Boeing Center at Tech Port.
Meanwhile, a partnership between Boeing and the Kelly Heritage Foundation – an educational non-profit organisation affiliated with Port San Antonio, on whose behalf ASM manages the facility – will seek to expand STEM learning and workforce development across South Texas.
The seven-year partnership and $2.3m (£1.87m/€2.12m) investment will aim to strengthen the region’s STEM talent and enhance programming supported by the foundation, including those developed by the San Antonio Museum of Science and Technology (SAMSAT), headquartered at the Port’s tech campus.
ASM Global CEO and president, Ron Bension, said: “The newly anointed Boeing Center at Tech Port is the only place on earth where entertainment and education intersect in such a bold fashion.
“Innovators of all ages will connect and create the technologies of the future in dedicated ideation labs and coworking spaces, among other offerings in the facility. And thrill-seekers will light up the Boeing Center at Tech Port, which will host premier esports and live entertainment events.”
For more than 20 years, Boeing’s aircraft maintenance and modernisation operation has been growing at the Port—just a few hundred feet from Boeing Center at Tech Port—furthering its support of an array of military and commercial aircrafts.
The Kelly Heritage Foundation’s support of programming will focus on developing skills that are key to the aerospace and space exploration industries, including robotics, artificial intelligence, three-dimensional printing, virtual reality, cybersecurity and visual sensors.
“From the start, our goal has been to find innovative ways to support San Antonio’s development into one of the premier technology communities in the nation,” said Port president and CEO, Jim Perschbach.
“The Boeing Center at Tech Port significantly furthers our momentum by adding exciting and engaging aerospace-focused learning experiences. We’re thankful that a leading global name in aerospace like Boeing is further growing its deep roots in our community.”
