OptecNet Germany is celebrating its 25th anniversary

From the perspective of Spectronet, strong photonics networks are the foundation for innovation, collaboration, and technological progress across Europe. That is why we are especially excited to highlight a major milestone within the German photonics community: OptecNet Germany is celebrating its 25th anniversary, accompanied by its highly anticipated Annual Conference in 2026.

On June 17 and 18, 2026, OptecNet will welcome the photonics community to the inspiring setting of the Veranstaltungsforum Fürstenfeldbruck. This year’s event will be far more than a traditional annual meeting—it will be a festive celebration of 25 years of networking, innovation, and impact in one of Germany’s most dynamic technology sectors.

For a quarter of a century, OptecNet has successfully connected key players in photonics, strengthened cooperation between industry and research, and actively shaped future technologies that are driving tomorrow’s economy. This anniversary is an opportunity not only to look back on an impressive network history, but also to explore new visions for the future of photonics in Germany and beyond.

Participants can look forward to an inspiring program featuring high-level speakers from industry and academia, engaging presentations, interactive formats, and numerous opportunities for meaningful exchange. The conference will include reflections on OptecNet’s achievements over the past 25 years, while also focusing on the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Key thematic areas of the 2026 conference will include top photonics-driven application fields such as Smart Manufacturing, Medical and Life Sciences, Security and Defense, and Sustainability and Resource Efficiency. Further details on the planned lectures and keynotes will follow soon, and members of regional photonics networks are warmly invited to contribute with their own presentations.

Networking will remain at the heart of the event. With more than 200 expected guests, speakers, and exhibitors, the conference promises outstanding opportunities to connect with experts, decision-makers, and innovators from across Germany’s photonics ecosystem. A special highlight will be the festive anniversary evening program, designed to celebrate this milestone in a memorable way—with surprises included.

OptecNet also offers companies and institutes the chance to take center stage through sponsorship packages, providing unique visibility to a national audience from industry, research, education, and politics. In addition, an accompanying exhibition will take place in the impressive former monastery grounds of Fürstenfeld, where attractive booth spaces will allow organizations to showcase their technologies and solutions. Due to high demand in recent years, early booking is strongly recommended.

At Spectronet, we value the close cooperation between photonics clusters and networks, and we see OptecNet’s anniversary conference as a powerful symbol of what long-term collaboration can achieve. We warmly congratulate OptecNet on 25 years of success and look forward to celebrating this remarkable journey together in June 2026.

For more information visit their website.