AmeriCOM Attendee Information
2026 HEL Optics Metrology Workshop
August 11-12, 2026
Learn the latest in high-energy laser optics metrology at this annual workshop. Connect with government and industry stakeholders involved in the metrology of optics for High-Energy Laser (HEL) systems. The goals of the workshop are to assess the current state of HEL optics metrology methods, instruments, and standards; identify issues and potential solutions; and explore opportunities to collaborate and develop a common path toward high-performing, reliable, and maintainable HEL optics.
Important: Non-government attendees should prepare citizenship/employment verification, DD Form 2345/JCP certification information, and export-control training verification before beginning registration.
We want to thank James Hadaway for all his help transitioning the workshop to AmeriCOM and for all of his hard work in planning and hosting previous years’ workshops.
Supporting Organizations & Partners
2026 HEL Optics Metrology Workshop Draft Agenda
August 11-12, 2026
University of North Carolina at Charlotte; Duke Centennial Hall
Registration: $170 per person for Industry representatives and Government contractors; $80 per person for Civil servants and Members of the military. Fees are invoiced after registration approval and include lunch on both days.
| Day | Time | Agenda Item |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, August 11 | 8:00 | Check-in Opens |
| 9:00-10:20 | DOW/Government Talks Session | |
| 10:20-10:40 | Coffee Break | |
| 10:40-12:00 | DOW/Government Talks Session | |
| 12:00-13:00 | Lunch | |
| 13:00-14:40 | Technical Session - Requirements and Standards | |
| 14:40-15:00 | Coffee Break | |
| 15:00-17:00 | Technical Session - Optic Metrology | |
| Wednesday, August 12 | 8:00 | Check-in Opens |
| 9:00-10:20 | Technical Session - Coating Metrology | |
| 10:20-10:40 | Coffee Break | |
| 10:40-12:00 | Technical Session - Laser Damage Metrology | |
| 12:00-13:00 | Lunch | |
| 13:00-14:40 | Technical Session | |
| 14:40-15:00 | Coffee Break | |
| 15:00-17:00 | UNC Lab Tours |
Please check back for updates and additions to the agenda as the event gets closer.
Print to PDFRegistration
Event: 2026 HEL Optics Metrology Workshop
Dates: August 11-12, 2026
Host: AmeriCOM – American Center for Optics Manufacturing
Cost: $170 per person for Industry representatives and Government contractors/$80 per person for Civil servants and Members of the military
Fees are invoiced after registration approval and include lunch on both days.
Location: University of North Carolina at Charlotte; Duke Centennial Hall
UNC Charlotte: University of North Carolina at Charlotte Homepage
Registration and event updates will be sent to the email provided at registration. Attendees are responsible for completing registration and any required eligibility verification before the workshop. Registration closes on July 24, 2026.
On-site: Attendees should bring hard-copy documentation needed to verify eligibility. Without required documentation, access may be delayed or denied.
Speakers & Presentations
Attendees may register as speakers during the registration process. Presentations may be Distribution A or Distribution D; however, all submitted abstracts must be Distribution A.
If a presentation is Distribution D, AmeriCOM will provide follow-up instructions for secure presentation submission through the appropriate CUI enclave.
All abstracts must be submitted by June 12, 2026.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Companies interested in sponsoring a portion of the workshop event should contact AmeriCOM for sponsorship availability and coordination details.
Included with Registration
- Access to HEL optics metrology workshop sessions
- Technical discussions focused on high-energy laser optics metrology
- Workshop materials and attendee instructions, as provided by AmeriCOM
- Networking with optics manufacturing, defense industrial base, government, academic, and nonprofit participants
Speaker Registration
Speakers should register as attendees and indicate speaker status during registration. Presentations may be Distribution A or Distribution D, but all submitted abstracts must be Distribution A.
Contractor Status
Contractors should follow non-government / industry attendee documentation requirements unless directed otherwise by the event security contact.
Attendance Requirements
The 2026 HEL Optics Metrology Workshop presentations and discussions will include Limited Distribution D information. This restricts participation in the workshop to U.S. citizens who are employees of the Department of Defense or its contractors.
1. Citizenship & Identification
Attendance eligibility should be verified before the event. Attendees may need to certify citizenship or permanent resident status as part of registration or check-in.
Photo identification may include:
- Valid U.S. passport
- Government-issued photo ID
- U.S. driver’s license or state ID
- U.S. Government CAC or military ID, if applicable
- Permanent Resident / Green Card, if applicable
AmeriCOM may request additional proof of citizenship or eligibility depending on final event security requirements.
2. DD Form 2345 / JCP Certification
Non-government attendees may need to provide proof that their organization has an active DD Form 2345 certification through the U.S./Canada Joint Certification Program.
- Each company location may need its own certification.
- The certification number is issued by the Joint Certification Office.
- Check with your organization’s FSO, data custodian, or export-control contact before registering.
3. Employee Verification Letter
Your Facility Security Officer, Data Custodian, HR contact, or other authorized company representative may be required to verify employment, citizenship/permanent resident eligibility, DD Form 2345/JCP authorization, and export-control training. The EVL template should reference the 2026 workshop dates.
4. Export Control Training
Your FSO, Data Custodian, or HR contact may be asked to verify that you have completed Export Control Compliance or ITAR/EAR training for the current event year.
If your company does not provide training, contact AmeriCOM before relying on alternate training materials. Public DLA/JCP resources may be useful background, but final acceptance is subject to AmeriCOM’s event requirements.
Payment, Confirmation & Receipts
- An event invoice will be sent to the email address provided at registration once your eligibility to attend is confirmed. Please confirm that your registration email address is accurate.
- All attendee registrations must be pre-paid to confirm eligibility. No onsite registrations or walk-ins will be permitted.
- Payment is required to complete your registration and a payment confirmation will be sent to you.
- Receipts and all registration updates will be sent to the email used during registration.
Cancellations & Substitutions Policy
AmeriCOM’s final event policies for cancellations, substitutions, and transfer of registration:
- Cancellations with refunds will be processed up to 7 days before the event begins. Refunds after this deadline will not be processed.
- Substitution of registration may be permitted up to 7 days before the workshop, subject to eligibility review. The substitute attendee is responsible for completing all documentation and approval requirements.
- In the event of a postponement of the workshop, registration fees will be applied to the new workshop date.
Event Code of Conduct
AmeriCOM is committed to providing a professional, respectful, and productive environment for all event participants, including attendees, speakers, sponsors, staff, volunteers, and guests.
All participants are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that supports open technical exchange, collaboration, and mutual respect. This includes treating others with courtesy, respecting differing viewpoints, and helping maintain a welcoming environment for participants from government, industry, academia, and the optics manufacturing community.
Participants are expected to:
- Behave professionally and respectfully at all times
- Follow all event, venue, security, export-control, and documentation requirements
- Respect the confidentiality, distribution limits, and handling requirements of any controlled or limited-distribution information
- Avoid disruptive, harassing, discriminatory, threatening, or unsafe behavior
- Follow instructions from AmeriCOM staff, event organizers, venue personnel, and security representatives
- Use event materials, discussions, and attendee information only for appropriate professional purposes
AmeriCOM reserves the right to deny entry, remove any participant from the event, or take other appropriate action if a participant violates this Code of Conduct or fails to comply with event requirements.
Questions or concerns about conduct during the event should be directed to AmeriCOM event staff. Serious or immediate safety concerns should be reported to venue security or appropriate authorities.
Questions?
For registration, approval status, event logistics, or documentation questions, contact Mattison Francis at mfrancis@americom.org or with the form below.