Executive Forum - The Premier Annual Event for Leaders in Optical Networking and Communications

The Optica Executive Forum at OFC 2026 is one of the most important in-person strategic gatherings for senior leaders in optical networking and communications this year. Co-located with OFC – the world’s largest optical communications conference and exhibition (15–19 March 2026), this one-day forum on March 16th 2026 brings together C-suite executives, CTOs and industry visionaries for candid, uncensored dialogue on the critical business and technology issues shaping global networks in 2026 and beyond. Participants will engage in focused keynote sessions, panel presentations, a CEO roundtable, business-fireside chats, and dedicated networking during coffee and lunch breaks designed for high-impact peer exchange.

Confirmed speakers include leading decision-makers and innovators from across the ecosystem, such as Andreas Bechtolsheim, Co-Founder & Chief Architect at Arista; Bill Gartner, SVP & GM, CBS Optics at Cisco; David Heard, President of Network Infrastructure at Nokia; Jim Anderson, CEO of Coherent; Matt Murphy, Chairman & CEO at Marvell Technology Group; Radha Nagarajan, SVP & CTO of Optical Engineering at Marvell; Near Margalit, VP/GM Optical Systems at Broadcom; and Nicholas Harris, Founder & CEO of Lightmatter, among others. This roster reflects the event’s focus on real-world strategy and business leadership at the intersection of optical technology, data infrastructure, and next-generation network services.

This forum is for CEOs and CTOs who need a clear view of where the industry is heading before committing capital, talent, and product roadmaps. The program is deliberately compact and curated, prioritising signal over volume. Discussions focus on deployment realities, scaling constraints, supply‑chain risk, and the implications of AI‑driven infrastructure demand, rather than long‑term research roadmaps or promotional case studies.

Attendance is limited to preserve the quality of discussion. Early registration is strongly recommended to secure early‑bird rates which end on February 13^th 2026. Companies seeking deeper engagement with this executive audience should also consider sponsorship opportunities, which provide targeted visibility and direct interaction with senior decision‑makers at a critical moment in the industry calendar.