Competing on the Photonics World Stage

All of the banners are attention-grabbing and colorful. Only one group has over 70 companies at Photonics West, more than any of the others.  Something else distinguishes that group. Can you guess what it is?

New York is a State, not a country! And yet we compete with countries to develop the optics, photonics, imaging and display technologies (and companies) of the future. And we do it on a shoestring, with innovation and collaboration.

Can we continue to expect the same results for the next 10, 20, 30 years, when other nations are investing billions of dollars into their own OPID industries and planning for future success?

New York State officials have told us that Optics, Photonics, Imaging, and Displays are markets that were lost years ago, so they are no longer interested in developing our industry.  Somewhat baffling, considering there is a national photonics initiative moving forward in Washington and that Senator Chuck Schumer is promoting legislation with the potential to establish a National Center for Optics and Photonics Innovation in Rochester.

State and federal staffers were in Rochester last September for the debut of Optics & Photonics: Essential Technologies for Our Nation. Perhaps Albany knows something that the rest of the world is missing.  Oddly, they are supportive of Nanotech, but fail to recognize that 90% of nanotech advances require Optics, Photonics and Imaging.

New York Photonics fielded 72 companies at Photonics West in 2013; more than any other state or any other country.