SAN DIEGO, July 31 -- SPIE's 45th Annual Meeting, Exhibition and Education Program got under way with 5,500 attendees expected before the meeting adjourns on August 4. The technical conference, which in all will feature 70 conference sessions, began with a series on Lens and Optical Systems Design on Sunday. Also on Sunday were rated short courses. A total of 80 courses will be held as part of the meeting's educational program. Tuesday will see the start of the Technical Exhibit, with more than 250 companies exhibiting their latest products and services. Also on tap for Tuesday is the society's Annual General Meeting. Along with election results SPIE members will hear a report on the "State of the Society" and partake of a Q&A with SPIE's president. Events scheduled for later in the week include SPIE's Annual Award banquet and Fellows luncheon.