Photonics Means®…

The UK's annual tech, people and growth expo.

Thursday 1st October 2026

8am to 6pm

Technology and Innovation Centre, 99 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1RD

Join us for the first edition of the UK’s new annual laser, optics, photonics expo.

Register to attend Photonics Means(r)…2026

Please be aware of other events the day before, in the same venue. Each day requires individual registration.

Wednesday 30th September

Institute of Photonics 30th Anniversary event, morning

and

Fraunhofer CAP inaugural Annual Symposium, afternoon

Register here for the 30th September symposia

Photonics Means…enlightenment

Attend Photonics Means…to learn more…

about your future career, your innovation ambitions, your immediate supply chain needs.

Photonics Means…Tech

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30 table-top exhibitions from your key suppliers, start-ups, innovators and your supply chain..

Photonics Means…People

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PhD student  posters session

Careers corner

Plenty of time for networking

Photonics Means…Growth

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Challenging and thought provoking sessions.

Photonics Means…Community

The second in our series of annual regional spotlight sessions.  2025-Torbay, 2026- Northern Ireland.

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If you want your region in the spotlight next year…let us know.

Photonics Means…future

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This year, Thursday 1st October 2026, but we will be back in 2027.

Photonics Means…Community

Thanks to everyone who is supported this new event!

A great location

Easy transport links from around the UK and beyond

TIC, 99 George St, Glasgow

  • Award winning conference and event venue
  • Glasgow City Centre
  • The heart of Glasgow City Innovation District
  • TIC is the home of:
    • University of Strathclyde; Institute of Photonics, Centre for Microphotonic Systems, Signal and Imaging Processing…etc
    • Fraunhofer CAP Centre of Applied Photonics
    • Fraunhofer UK
    • NPL Scotland
    • Technology Scotland
    • Photonics Scotland
    • Spokes of Satellite Applications and Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapults

Inovo building

  • For those attending PLG- Location for the Photonics Leadership Group meeting.
  • Extended offices and lab.s of Fraunhofer CAP
  • Home to Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult , CENSIS and many more innovation organisations

“with the benefit of hindsight, I was delighted to attend the first ever Photonics Means…event in 2025, it was amazing, all those years ago”

Jacob von Hogflume

Time traveller

Thank you!

A very special thank you to Laurence Devereux, his team and SPIE for 33 years of SPIE Photonex. This was an important event for UK photonics, imaging and vacuum communities. We all hope that Photonics Means(r) will be a valued successor in providing an annual UK photonics expo for all.