Agenda
07 - 08 October 2025
Málaga, Spain
*** The Forum will be recorded and livestreamed.
****This is a preliminary agenda.
It ensures a comprehensive and inclusive discussion on investment opportunities, challenges, and strategic approaches, catering to the diverse spectrum of companies within the photonics industry.
06 October 2025
7:30 pm, Welcome Reception at Candado Beach, Málaga
A networking evening ahead of the forum, offering a relaxed environment for attendees to connect.
Day 1: 07 October 2025
Venue: FYCMA, Palace of Congresses and Exhibitions. Bus transportation from hotels recommend by Optica to the venue provided.
| Time CET | Sessions | Participants | Session Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:30 - 9:30 | Registration/welcome coffee | FYCMA, Palace of Congresses and Exhibitions | |
|
9:30 - 10:00
|
Welcome & Opening Remarks
|
Jose Pozo, CTO, Optica & Elizabeth Nolan, CEO, Optica Reinhard Voelkel, CEO, Focuslight Switzerland TBA Secretary of State. Spanish Government TBA Representative Junta de Andalucia TBA, Representative Ayuntamiento de Málaga |
Opening and Welcome Introduction and objectives of the forum, highlighting the collaborative opportunities within the photonics industry. |
| 10:00 - 10:25 | Keynote 1 | Jo De Boeck, EVP & CSO, imec | |
| 10:25 - 10:50 | Keynote 2 |
Marisa Edmund, CEO, Edmund Optics |
|
| 10:50 - 11:15 |
Keynote 3
|
Michael Kaschke, Chairman, Supervisory Board of KIT & former CEO, ZEISS |
|
| 11:15 - 12:00 | Coffee Break & Exhibition Visit | Networking & visiting exhibitions. | |
| 12:00 - 12:50 |
Panel Discussion 1: Scaling Photonics Innovations in a Changing Global Economy Moderator: Mike Powell, Managing Partner, Renevo Capital |
Panelists:
|
Focused discussion on aligning research initiatives with industry needs. |
| 12:50 - 14:00 | Lunch Break & Exhibition Visit | Networking & Lunch. | |
| 14:00 - 14:50 |
Panel Discussion 2: New strategies of Photonics profit from Semicon Moderator: Jose Pozo, CTO, Optica |
Panelists:
|
|
| 14:50 - 15:15 |
Keynote 4 |
||
| 15:15 - 16:00 |
Coffee Break & Exhibition Visit |
Networking & visiting exhibitions. | |
| 16:00 - 16:50 |
CEO Panel Moderator: Michael Lebby, Optica Board Member |
Panelists:
|
Discussion among top CEOs about leadership and strategic direction in the photonics industry. |
| 16:50 - 17:10 | Optica Prize Ceremony |
Presented by: Ulrike Fuchs, Chair, Optica Awards Council. |
|
| 17:10 |
Departure for Evening Reception. Formal dinner & networking |
Bus transportation to El Balneario Nuestra Señora del Carmen |
Day 2: 08 October 2025
Venue: FYCMA, Palace of Congresses and Exhibitions. Bus transportation from hotels recommend by Optica to the venue provided.
| Time CET | Sessions | Participants | Session Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9:00 - 9:30 | Welcome coffee | FYCMA, Palace of Congresses and Exhibitions | |
| 9:30 - 9:35 | Welcome Day 2 | Jose Pozo, CTO, Optica & Co-Chairman, GPEF | |
| 9:35 - 10:00 | Keynote 5 |
Stefan Traeger, CEO, JENOPTIK |
|
| 10:00 - 10:50 |
Panel Discussion 3 Defense & Security: Key Photonics Trends at the Front Line Moderator: Gregory Quarles, CEO Emeritus, Applied Energetics |
Panelists:
|
|
| 10:50 - 11:30 | Coffee Break & Exhibition Visit |
Networking & visiting exhibitions. |
|
| 11:30 - 12:00 |
Panel Discussion 4 Spain, a success story of bridging Photonics and Semiconductors Moderator: TBA |
Panelists:
|
|
| 12:00 - 12:15 |
Update Geopolitical Industry Challenges |
Michael Hochberg, President, Periplous LLC & Visiting Scholar, Cambridge Centre for Geopolitics |
|
| 12:15 - 13:00 |
Panel Discussion 5 Geopolitical Trade & Supply Chain Resilience: US, Canada, Europe, Japan, Singapore
|
Panelists:
|
|
| 13:00 - 14:00 | Lunch Break & Exhibition Visit |
Networking & Lunch |
|
| 14:00 - 14:25 | Keynote 6 | TBA |
|
| 14:25 - 15:15 |
Panel Discussion 5 Entrepreneurship & Investment in Photonics
|
Panelists:
|
|
| 15:15 - 16:00 | Coffee Break & Exhibition Visit | Networking & visiting exhibitions. | |
| 16:00 - 16:25 | Keynote 7 | Christina Hirschl, CEO, Silicon Austria Labs | |
| 16:25 - 17:15 |
Panel Discussion 6 Photonics for Future Technologies: Quantum, AI & Data
|
Panelists:
|
How different could the world look 25 years from now? |
| 17:15 - 17:30 |
Closing Remarks & Outlook for GPEF 2026 |
Felipe Romera, Director, Malaga TechPark (PTA) Jose Pozo, CTO, Optica |
|
| 17:30 | Departure for Farewell Reception at Historic Center of Málaga hosted by University of Málaga | For attendees staying overnight and wishing to join us again. Reception is from 18:00 to 20:30 |
