About

The Montana State University's Optical Technology Center (OpTeC) will host the 32nd annual OpTeC Conference on October 8, 2026. 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 optics and photonics research at MSU.

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

Agenda

Below is the general format of the 2026 OpTeC Conference agenda.

A sample agenda is available for download here: 2025 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)

 

Here are the key activities planned for the conference:

  • Keynote Speaker – Dr. Julie Bentley, Rudolf and Hilda Kingslake Professor in Optical Engineering, University of Rochester
  • Oral presentations highlighting MSU’s optics and photonics research
  • Industry session: talks from industry partners and companies
  • Student poster pitches
  • Montana Innovator Awards
  • Evening poster and exhibitor session and MPQA networking social
  • Thorlabs Mobile Photonics Lab Experience
  • SPIE-sponsored pre-conference reception on the evening of October 7; separate registration information will be shared when available.

Registration

Registration is now open through September 21.

Registration Fees are as follows:

Individual: $50

Student: $30

Exhibitor: $65 - $275 

Please visit the Registration Information Page to register.

Hotel Accommodations

A limited hotel room block has been secured for OpTeC Conference attendees at the Courtyard by Marriott Bozeman.

Conference Hotel:
Courtyard by Marriott Bozeman (Google Maps)

Conference Rate:

  • $176.00 USD per night

Room Block Availability:

  • A limited number of rooms are available (10 rooms per night) and reservations are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Dates Available:

  • Check-in: Tuesday, October 6, 2026
  • Check-out: Friday, October 9, 2026

Reservation Deadline:

  • Thursday, September 17, 2026

Reservations must be made by September 17, 2026, to receive the conference rate. Due to the limited number of rooms available, attendees are strongly encouraged to book early. Once the room block is full or after the cutoff date, rooms will be available only at the hotel standard rate and subject to availability.

How to Book

Attendees may reserve their rooms using one of the following options:

Other Options

MSU’s Office of Admissions also lists other local hotels with discounts for visitors. You can find that information by scrolling down to the Participating Hotel section on this webpage: MSU Admissions Partnerships.

Ground Transportation

Ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are available, but you may experience slightly longer wait times than in larger cities. The airport is about a 20-minute ride from the center of town. Bozeman is also home to a zero-fare public transportation system. Several car rental agencies are available for pickup at the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport.

Previous Conferences

30th Birthday 2024 Conference 2023 Conference
2025 OpTeC Conference Agenda 2024 OpTeC Conference Agenda  2023 OpTeC Conference Agenda

 

Please see the OpTeC photo album for pictures from previous OpTeC-sponsored events.

Sponsors

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our OpTeC Conference sponsors for their generous support. Your commitment plays a crucial role in funding and facilitating this event, helping us to deliver a successful and impactful experience. Your partnership enables us to bring together students, faculty researchers, and industry leaders; foster innovative discussions; and advance our collective knowledge. We deeply appreciate your contribution and look forward to celebrating our shared success at the conference.

Thank you for making the OpTeC Conference possible!

Interested in becoming a sponsor? Check out our Sponsorship Information Page.

32nd Annual OpTeC Conference Sponsors