About the Conference

The Montana State University's Optical Technology Center (OpTeC) will host the 31st annual OpTeC Conference on October 9, 2025. This year, we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Optical Technology Center; in 1995, the Board of Regents approved the establishment of the Center. The OpTeC conference highlights optical science and engineering and is where undergraduate and graduate students, research staff, and faculty report on recent developments in optics at Montana State University. Companies will also share new developments in industry. After a day of oral presentations, a highlight of the meeting is always the evening catered poster session that includes many local and regional businesses. Please join us in celebrating 30 years of optics and photonics at MSU.

The OpTeC Conference is held in the Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering building in Inspiration Hall (room 201).

The 2024 Optical Technology Center Conference included:

  • 15 research presentations
  • 6 presentations at the special Montana Photonics Jobs Outlook session
  • 33 research posters
  • 17 exhibitors 
  • 180 registered attendees
  • 24 registered local and national optics companies and associations 
  • 13 Sponsors

Agenda

Below is the general format of the 2025 OpTeC Conference agenda. A sample detailed agenda of the 2024 conference is available for download here: 2024 OpTeC Conference Agenda 

8:00 am

Check-in & Refreshments

8:20 am

Welcome Remarks

8:30 – 10:10 am

Oral Presentations

10:10 – 10:40 am

Break & Refreshments

10:40 – 12:00 pm

Oral Presentations

12:00 – 1:10 pm

Lunch break (provided)

1:10 – 3:10 pm

Oral Presentations

3:10 – 3:40 pm

Break & Refreshments

3:40 – 6:00 pm

Oral Presentations by Industry

6:00 – 8:00 pm

Poster & Exhibitor Session (dinner provided)

 

Exhibitor Space Information

Exhibitor registration for the evening session is now open. The layout of the session includes the student posters displayed in the center of the room and the exhibitors lined along the interior perimeter of the room and the entry way.

Exhibition space includes:

  • One table measuring at 8 feet by 18 inches
  • Power, if needed
  • Tablecloth, if needed
  • Registration for one person for the whole day

Exhibitors can set up at approximately 5:00 pm. The evening session typically starts at 6:00 pm.

Register additional attendees as individuals at the registration link above.

Registration Options

Registration will open in the summer of 2025. Email us to be added to OpTeC Conference notifications.

The Budget Table - $60

The budget table is an affordable option for small businesses (approximately 10 employees or less) that want a presence at the conference. Exhibitors will share one of the tables with two to three other exhibitors. There will be space for handouts and a show and tell item or laptop. Availability is limited for this option.

MPQA Member Discount - $200

Organizations that are members of the Montana Photonics & Quantum Alliance (MPQA) can receive a discount off the full exhibitor fee. If you are not a member and would like to join, please email MPQA at admin@mpqa.org.

Full Non-MPQA Member Fee - $250

Organizations that are not members of MPQA and are not a small business, please register at this tier.

Not-for-Profit

If you are a not-for-profit organization, we welcome you to showcase your organization at the conference. Please contact us directly at optec@montana.edu to discuss registration options.

Sponsorship

Some organizations wanting an exhibit space and sending more than four employees, may find it more economical to become a sponsor. We offer three sponsorship tiers described on the Sponsorship webpage.

 

Benefits

Benefits to becoming an exhibitor are:

  • Exposure to potential workforce

  • Exposure to faculty research and technology ideas

  • Networking with other companies in the optics and photonics industry

Contact Us

If you have any questions about the exhibitor registration, please reach out to us at optec@montana.edu.