SPIE 2024 Summit Recap
Our Collective Impact
Just like the previous two gatherings, the third annual SPIE Photonics Industry Summit did not disappoint. Both aspects of AmeriCOM’s mission – workforce development and optics manufacturing technology research – were well covered. Remarks from representatives of the Departments of Commerce, Energy, and Defense; NASA; the National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST); the Economic Development Agency; and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory highlighted AmeriCOM’s impact.
New this year was a reception the afternoon prior to the Summit on Capitol Hill with Congresspeople who support our industry as members of the Optics & Photonics Caucus. With an introduction by AmeriCOM CEO and President, Dave Shelton, co-chair and founder of the O&P Caucus, New York State Congressman Joe Morelle kicked of the event. Congressmen Donald Norcross and Josh Gottheimer from New Jersey and Juan Cusimano from Arizona then delivered remarks reminding us all of the impact of our work. They also reinforced the importance of engaging with our Congressional representatives to grow our industry, expand our businesses, and build our optics workforce.
AmeriCOM is proud to be a sponsor of this event. We were well represented by our board members, Jenn Cable, President, Thorlabs, and Kirk Warden, President, LaCroix Precision Optics, and by many of our partners in industry and education.