Optatec, the international trade fair for optical technologies, components, and systems, returns to Messe Frankfurt Oct. 18-20. Set for its 15th iteration in 2022, the event retains its focus on optoelectronics, machine vision, optics, laser components, fiber optics, and manufacturing. For the first time, the event will be taking place in the daylight-rich Hall 8, boasting 30,000 sq m of floor space — the largest ground-level hall on the Frankfurt exhibition grounds. The change marks a 12,000-sq-m increase in space over 2018. The conference will feature talks from the foremost experts and engineers pushing innovation in optics, fabrication, optoelectronics, machine vision, sensing, and manufacturing. Visitors can hear lectures from market-leading companies such as Hamamatsu, OptoTech, Optics Balzers, and Casix. Topics include supply chain stabilization, polarization, optical coatings, wavefront metrology, and optical fiber production. Visitors can expect to learn about the latest products and innovations from brief talks presented in the Exhibitor Forum. Beyond that, speakers from leading research and scientific institutes will discuss their innovations and experiences, both in theory and in practice. Optatec will take place Oct. 18-20 at Messe Frankfurt in Hall 8. The three-day show encourages a range of attendees, from prospective employees and those from startup businesses to researchers and industry professionals. Courtesy of Messe Frankfurt. University representatives will return once again, this year organizing the Education & Research technology park to promote a concrete transfer of knowledge from academia to industry. The technology park will be presented by the Darmstadt and RheinMain Universities of Applied Sciences and the Technical University of Central Hesse. Universities will present their courses of study relating to optical technology and photonics and invite all interested school classes and teachers to Optatec on Oct. 19. Additional services and amenities available to attendees include the Optatec job exchange, for employers and prospective employees; free-of-charge webcasts; a “Start-Up Area” for networking; and the “Training and Research – Study Photonics” Technology Park, which, in addition to the institutions mentioned, will offer guided tours of renowned companies from the industry sector. Individual programs of study will also be spotlighted, including in conversations with program alumni. According to show organizers, the international flavor of the event is indicated by more than 45% of all currently registered exhibitors planning to attend from outside of Germany, as of September data. The last Optatec show hosted 540 exhibitors from 32 countries, with 5803 visitors hailing from 45 countries. For more information about the event, visit www.optatec-messe.de.