Where optics, photonics and astronomy connect and grow.
Welcome to Optics Valley
Arizona is home to world-class businesses and scientific and educational institutions with decades of innovation and leadership in optics, photonics and astronomy. Optics Valley is the industry cluster that helps its members thrive through business acceleration, workforce development, startup support, and connections to local and worldwide opportunities. Optics Valley is a committee of the Arizona Technology Council.
Our mission is to catalyze, convene and connect optics, photonics, astronomy and the supporting business interests throughout Arizona.
Optics Valley Resource Directory
Search the Optics Valley Resource Directory to connect with Arizona’s leading suppliers of optics and photonics hardware, software, and services. The world-class services and technologies of these companies span from coatings and films to opto-mechanical and fabrication solutions to lasers and fiber optics – and much more.
Optics Valley Events
Arizona Photonics Days
The annual Arizona Photonics Days conference brings together Arizona optics companies, our partners from the Global Photonics Alliance and international industry leaders for three days of keynote presentations, technical discussions and business-to-business meetings. It is scheduled in January for our international participants for efficient travel to Arizona and to California for SPIE’s annual Photonics West event and so that attendees can enjoy Tucson’s warm weather. View past conference proceedings — APD 2024, APD 2023, APD 2022, APD 2021
Optics Valley Technical Series
The Optics Valley Technical Series is a frequent webinar series that discusses innovation, technologies and trends in the optics, photonics and astronomy sectors. Watch the most recent Technical Series. Interested in being a guest speaker? The Technical Series is an opportunity to share your expertise and successes with a rapidly growing Optics Valley community. Complete the form below, and the Optics Valley Committee Chairs will contact you.
Upcoming Optics Valley Events
2024 Southern Arizona Tech + Business Expo
Oct 16, 2024
CONNECT. LEARN. CELEBRATE! The Arizona Technology Council (AZTC) and South32 proudly present the 12th Annual Southern Arizona Tech + Business Expo on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at the Tucson Convention Center. Click HERE for map. Network in person with over 400 business and tech leaders a...
Arizona Photonics Days 2025
Jan 22, 2025
Optics Valley invites you to the 8th Arizona Photonics Days conference in Tucson, Arizona, on January 22-24, 2025, just prior to Photonics West 2025. Connect with optics and photonics peers and industry leaders for technical presentations, industry trend discussions, and professional networking ...
Optics Valley Resources
Resource Directory
Search the Optics Valley Resource Directory to connect with Arizona’s leading suppliers of optics and photonics hardware, software, and services.
Subscribe to FOCUS
Optics Valley FOCUS is a monthly newsletter with news and events for the optics, photonics and astronomy sectors in Arizona.
$4B Economic Impact
Optics, photonics, and astronomy have a $4 billion economic impact in AZ. Read this White Paper about why you should start, relocate or expand your optics business here.
Partners and Alliances
Connect with Global Opportunities
Optics Valley connects members to local and worldwide opportunities through our alliances and collaborations with leading organizations.
With over 40 members, the Global Photonics Alliance facilitates cooperation and collaboration among optics and photonics clusters worldwide.
SPIE is the international society for optics and photonics, an educational not-for-profit organization founded in 1955 to advance light-based science, engineering, and technology.
The American Precision Optics Manufacturers Association is committed to promoting and advancing opportunities for the precision optics industry.
Optica (formerly OSA) is dedicated to promoting the generation, application, archiving and dissemination of knowledge in optics and photonics worldwide.
The National Photonics Institute is a collaborative alliance among industry, academia and government to raise awareness of photonics and the impact of photonics on our everyday lives.
The James C. Wyant College of Optical Sciences, since its start as the Optical Sciences Center in 1964, has been shaping the future by offering high-quality instruction, cutting-edge research and a solid commitment to the development of the optics industry.
Tech Parks Arizona generates, attracts and retains technology companies and talent in alignment with the research, mission and goals of the University of Arizona.
Tech Launch Arizona moves inventions stemming from university research and technological innovation into the marketplace where they can create lasting social and economic impact.
Pima Community College is a comprehensive two-year institution serving students and employers throughout Pima County in Arizona and beyond.
Committee Leadership
Optics Valley Chair: John Dennis, President, Strategy1
Throughout his career, John has fulfilled objectives to drive company growth and profitability. Since moving to Tucson in 2008, he has been engaged in economic development and organizational improvement in the technology and entrepreneurial communities. His consulting company, Strategy1, provides services to enhance the strategic alignment of people, plans and processes. Successful client assignments range from technology start-up companies to major corporations and educational institutions.
Optics Valley Co-Chair: Katie Schwertz, Senior Manager of Optical Assemblies and Technology, Edmund Optics
Katie is a dedicated advocate for optics and photonics both locally and globally. She is an optics alumna of both the University of Rochester and the University of Arizona, has published two technical books, and has 15 years of engineering experience in Arizona. Katie has served on the Board of directors for SPIE and excels at forging connections and professional networking. She is passionate about advancing local industry and developing external collaborations.
Arizona Optics Initiative
The world’s first optics industry cluster formed in Tucson in 1992. In 2017, Optics Valley became the new generation of the industry cluster. In 2019, Strategy1 was awarded a Small Business Administration (SBA) contract to grow the optics industry throughout Arizona. The Arizona Optics Initiative (AOI), led by Strategy1, is the working program that fulfills the SBA contract. AOI works with all optics companies in Arizona with the Optics Valley Committee as its primary communication channel.