Agenda

KEYNOTE TALK: Enabling fast-growing markets with photonics materials and devices

Rapidly growing global markets and applications include mobility, communications, materials processing, aerospace and defense, and the life sciences—all areas where photonics can play critical enabling roles. To take advantage of these opportunities, systems must be developed based on the most advanced photonics materials, devices, and subsystems. Chuck Mattera, CEO of II-VI Incorporated, will talk about how the company takes advantage of these opportunities, and provide insights into the challenges facing all manufacturers of optics, lasers, and related photonics products. He will also discuss topics such as how the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted operations and markets around the world, how II-VI has responded, and what opportunities excite him the most in the coming years.

Global laser markets: Insights and forecasts
Conversation with Editor in Chief John Lewis

2020 has been a year like no other, with the reach of Covid-19 spreading across the globe. Its impact on laser markets has been decidedly mixed, depending on application and geographic region, with the overall impact being much less devastating than first feared. Helping us understand the many economic and technology currents impacting our industry, Allen Nogee will again present the macroeconomic forces at work, supplier trends, and technology developments in the worldwide laser markets. His talk will provide a global market review and forecast of laser revenues by product and application, including industrial lasers and applications, communications, lithography, defense and security, sensing, additive manufacturing, and medical, and he will look ahead with insights gained from his research in specific market niches. Editor in Chief John Lewis will join Allen for a discussion and Q&A session following his presentation.

China’s changing laser markets:

The new globalization model, uncertainties, and challenges

A decoupling or new model of globalization is underway as the Chinese economy rebounds strongly from the pandemic and establishes itself more assertively on the global political, technological, and economic stage. The resulting changes are creating many uncertainties for economic relationships and presenting very substantial challenges for many US and European companies, especially those that are very reliant on the Chinese market. Bo Gu will again present his analysis of this rapidly evolving world and give our audience a little guidance to help navigate the churning waters. In addition, he will provide the official data about laser market developments from the Chinese Optical Society.

Financial perspectives on the photonics industry—industries in collision

The traditional view of photonics has seen it as an enabling technology for many vertical markets. However, as markets—and photonics technologies—have evolved, photonics is clearly just one of numerous industries that are becoming part of new sectors and new ecosystems. A few examples are sectors focused on mobility, agriculture, healthcare, and industrial automation. To understand how these trends impact market valuations and acquisition strategies, Linda Smith will explore recent M&A activity and private equity investments especially impacting component-manufacturing companies making optics, lasers, and imaging equipment.

KEYNOTE DISCUSSION: A conversation with Andy Mattes, Coherent

Andy Mattes will talk with Editor in Chief John Lewis about Coherent’s role as a leader in global laser markets, including his views on important new trends impacting these markets, the competitive landscape for laser and photonics manufacturers, the opportunities for new technologies and products, and, of course, the impact of Covid-19. They will also cover subjects such as Coherent’s long-term growth strategy, including acquisitions and global markets.

SPIE Industry Update: Global Photonics Trends, Outlook, and the Impact of Covid-19

Stephen Anderson will present an update of the SPIE core optics and photonics components industry profile, with new data also covering the photonics-enabled markets in 2019 and the impact of Covid-19. The SPIE global industry profile has become a key resource for investors, business leaders, and government representatives who need a clear picture of the worldwide photonics industry, its size, and economic impact. The profile has found use supporting business strategies, guiding investment decisions, and in the development of national policies to drive funding, business success, and economic growth.

Global photonics stock indices and what they reveal, Plus a discussion with Stephen Anderson on global photonics stocks and markets

Despite the pandemic, stock markets around the world have shown surprising strength, and nowhere is that more evident than for publically traded, photonics-related companies. Globally, these companies have seen substantial capital flows in recent months. John Dexheimer has developed stock indices reflecting the value of both US and international photonics-related companies, and he will discuss what trends he sees and provide insights useful for potential investment opportunities.

Biophotonics instrumentation markets and the impact of Covid-19

As you can imagine, the pandemic has had a dramatic impact on bioinstrumentation markets. To help understand the impact on both the general and the photonics-related bioinstrumentation markets, Bruce Carlson will draw on the annual forecast developed by Strategic Directions International (SDi) to look at different instrumentation types, and to focus on the kinds of instrumentation of most interest to photonics companies. In addition, he will provide insights into the effects Covid-19 on the laboratory space and on instrumentation more generally.

2021 CONFERENCE AGENDA
(Subject to change)

2020 Conference Agenda Coming Soon!

2021 CONFERENCE AGENDA (Subject to change)

2020 Conference Agenda Coming Soon!

2021 CONFERENCE AGENDA
(Subject to change)