Optical Technology Center Conference
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
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8:00 am |
Check-in & Refreshments |
|
8:20 am |
Welcome Remarks |
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8:30 – 10:10 am |
Oral Presentations |
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10:10 – 10:40 am |
Break & Refreshments |
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10:40 – 12:00 pm |
Oral Presentations |
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12:00 – 1:10 pm |
Lunch break (provided) |
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1:10 – 3:10 pm |
Oral Presentations |
|
3:10 – 3:40 pm |
Break & Refreshments |
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3:40 – 6:00 pm |
Oral Presentations by Industry |
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6:00 – 8:00 pm |
Poster & Exhibitor Session (dinner provided) |
Registration
Registration opens
Summer 2026
Registration Fees are as follows:
Individual: $50
Student: $30
Exhibitor: $65 - $275
Exhibitor information and fee structure can be found on the Exhibitor Information Page.
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 10, 2026
Reservations must be made by September 10, 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:
-
By Phone:
Call the hotel directly at 406-577-1155.
Please identify yourself as part of the OpTeC Conference room block when making your reservation.
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
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| 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 2025 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.
