Conferences return brings heat back to Glasgow in preparation for COP26

Glasgow’s Scottish Event Campus (SEC) has welcomed the International Society for Optics and Photonics (SPIE) as its first post-lockdown conference. Later this autumn, SEC will be the host venue of international climate conference COP26. ‘Photonex + Vacuum Technologies 2021’ is combined with the leading European event for vacuum-enabled techniques and processes. ‘Space, Satellites and Sustainability’, which is also being hosted at the SEC between 28-30 September, highlights newly operational satellite systems featuring sensors supporting sustainability. Delegates will once again have the opportunity to attend in-person research presentations and keynote speeches, as well as discussing topics covered with their peers. The return of SEC events is a boost to the local economy, with the venue supporting around 5,700 jobs in Glasgow. It is estimated in a report conducted by EKOS that SEC’s activities contributed a net additional expenditure of £431m (US$589m) to the Glasgow economy. Karin Burger, manager Europe at SPIE Europe, said: “SPIE is an international membership society, serving scientists and engineers in industry, academia, and government, in a wide variety of fields, ranging from optics, photonics, quantum, astronomy, and many other light-based sciences.  It is so important to be able to meet in person to network, learn, and make connections to drive our science forward.” Kathleen Warden, director of conference sales at SEC, added: “There is just no substitute for having people working with and learning from each other in the one space, and we’re delighted to play our part in that.” For information regarding upcoming conferences at SEC, click here.