Industry to gather at Washington-based SPIE Photonics Summit in September

12 Aug 2025

Program to feature U.S. agencies for federal policy, funding, product development, and procurement.

On 18 September, 2025, in Washington, DC, SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, will host its fourth annual Photonics Industry Summit.

With its focus on optics and photonics as a key enabler of emerging technology and economic growth, the day-long program will feature US government agencies speaking on federal policy and funding, product development, and procurement process to an audience of key industry and community representatives.

The event will also bring together leaders from the optics and photonics community, executives from related businesses, and US congressional representatives. Collectively, they will be sharing their plans and expectations for optics and photonics-related programs in key areas such as directed energy, semiconductors, space, biotechnology, quantum, and other emerging technologies.

The featured speakers include:

• US Congressperson Joe Morelle
• NASA Acting Deputy Associate Administrator, Science Mission Directorate Mark Clampin
• NIH Director of the National Institutes of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering Bruce Tromberg
• Akin Senior Counsel Matthew S. Borman
• NSF Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships Kerri Dugan
• US Department of Energy Program Director, Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy Emily R. Kinser
• Defense Innovation Unit Technical Program Manager Jeffrey Wright
• SPIE CEO Kent Rochford

Congressional Reception

Prior to the summit, SPIE will host a Congressional Reception, which will be held on Capitol Hill at the Rayburn House Office Building, on 17 September. No additional registration is required for this opportunity to network, speak directly with congressional representatives, and advocate on behalf of the photonics industry.

“I’m very much looking forward to this year’s SPIE Photonics Industry Summit,” says SPIE Director of Government Affairs Jennifer O’Bryan. “The constantly changing policy landscape can be challenging for company executives. This unique opportunity allows direct access to a range of senior government officials with significant budget authority. Additionally, the complementary congressional reception offers a truly unique opportunity to engage with your elected representatives.”

The event is sponsored by Hamamatsu, Leonardo, Optimax, Sydor Optics, Thorlabs, and Toptica. For more information and to register for the SPIE Photonics Industry Summit, interested parties should visit the SPIE website. Would-be attendees are advised to register early because prices will increase after 5 September.

About SPIE

SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, brings engineers, scientists, students, and business professionals together to advance light-based science and technology. The Society, founded in 1955, connects and engages with our global constituency through industry-leading conferences and exhibitions; publications of conference proceedings, books, and journals in the SPIE Digital Library; and career-building opportunities. Over the past five years, SPIE has invested more than $25 million in the international optics community through our advocacy and support, including scholarships, educational resources, travel grants, endowed gifts, and public-policy development.