President Donald Trump and NASA announced plans Friday to launch a major space and aeronautics industry conference at Florida's Kennedy Space Center, positioning the event as a new international showcase for American aerospace capabilities.

The conference, called CapeWeek, is scheduled to begin in 2028, according to Trump, who outlined the initiative during a speech. Organizers intend to attract aerospace companies, international business leaders, government officials and engineers to the United States for an event focused on space exploration, aviation and related industries.

The announcement comes as the administration seeks to strengthen the country's position in the global aerospace market and encourage companies to prioritize American-led industry events. CapeWeek is expected to compete with established international gatherings, including the Paris Air Show in France, the Farnborough International Airshow in England and the Dubai Airshow in the United Arab Emirates.

Those events draw thousands of industry executives, government representatives and technical experts from around the world, providing opportunities for companies to showcase new technology, establish business relationships and pursue major contracts.

CapeWeek also follows a September effort by the White House to discourage American space companies from attending a prominent international space summit in Paris organized by French President Emmanuel Macron. The administration's push reflected its preference for promoting U.S.-based forums rather than participating in events hosted by foreign governments.

By establishing a major conference at Kennedy Space Center, the administration aims to make Florida a destination for international aerospace business while highlighting American capabilities in space and aviation. The event would add another major gathering to the industry's international calendar and provide U.S. companies with a platform to attract investment and partnerships.