Level Up 2026
Events
Level Up
17 - 19 April, 2026 | Washington, DC, USA
Discover your personal and professional skills in leadership
Are you leading one or more team members for the first time, whether officially or unofficially? Do you aspire to cultivate the skills necessary to lead your team effectively, making a positive impact, and provide innovative solutions in your leadership? Join us for Level Up Leadership – an immersive two-day event designed to help you explore these pivotal questions while crafting a personalized action plan for implementation. Throughout the program, you’ll embark on an introspective journey to define your unique leadership style, discover strategies for collaboration and adaptability, and learn how to network and hone communication skills. Additionally, you will gain invaluable hands-on experience in navigating conflict resolution and innovative leadership. Level Up Leadership provides a space to address common leadership challenges such as failure or organizational roadblocks, equipping you with the tools to manage yourself and your teams more effectively. Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your leadership potential and network within the photonics industry. Register now to secure your place and unlock the keys to impactful leadership.
Speakers
Eric Koester
Adjunct Professor, Georgetown University; Founder and CEO, Manuscripts
Schedule
We have an engaging and informative program planned. Level Up Leadership is facilitated by Eric Koester, Adjunct Professor, at Georgetown University and Founder and CEO of Manuscripts.
Level Up will begin at 18:00 EST on 17 April 2026 and concludes at 17:30 EST on 19 April 2026. To learn more about the topics featured each day, please click on the tabs below.
Friday 17, April
15:00 - 16:00: Check-in to Sonesta Hotel
18:00: Welcome Reception
Saturday 18, April
08:00–08:45: Breakfast
8:45 - 9:00: Welcome by Optica staff
9:00–10:30: Defining Leadership & Driving Change in STEM Organizations
10:30–10:45: Break
10:45–12:15: Personal Effectiveness & Productivity for Leaders
12:15–13:30: Lunch
13:30–15:00: Strategic Adaptability & Leadership in a Changing World
15:00–15:15: Break
15:15–16:45: Communicating Strategically to Influence & Lead
16:15–17:00: Break
17:00–18:00: Talk from MED council member (to be announced)
18:00–19:00: Dinner
Sunday 19, April
08:00–09:00: Breakfast
09:00–10:30: Building Strong Professional Relationships & Network
10:30–10:45: Break
10:45–12:15: Navigating Conflict & High-Stakes Conversations
12:15–13:30: Lunch
13:30–15:00: Leadership Case Study Workshop & Coaching: New Initiative or Innovation
15:00–15:15: Break
15:15–16:45: Team Presentations: Building Your Leadership Action Plan
16:45–17:00: Break
17:00–17:15: Closing remarks
17:15-17:30: Final Thoughts
18:00–19:00: Dinner
Monday 20, April
Travel Day - Bon Voyage!
