Photon Forum Connects U.S. Optics Talent, Venture Capital

Photon Forum Connects Optical Sciences & Venture Capital April 5-7 at Tucson's Loews Ventana Canyon Resort. Roundtable sessions with active investors; presentations showcasing optics used in Defense/Security and the interweaving of Optics and Biotech.

Tucson, AZ (PRWEB) March 13, 2004 --A nationwide audience of optics industry players will converge on Tucsons Loews Ventana Canyon Resort April 5-7 for a blind date with the world of venture financing.

The inaugural Photon Forum is the brainchild of Tucson-based Breault Research Organization and New Hampshire-based PennWell Corporation, publisher of LaserFocusWorld (www.laserfocusworld.com) and veteran event organizer. The two have assembled an international and highly-acclaimed slate of presenters, including roundtable and networking sessions with active angel investors and venture capitalists.

Optics attracts brilliant scientific and engineering minds; people who are developing startling advances in physics and technology," said Kathleen Perkins, CEO of Breault Research Organization. However, many are new to the nuances of funding companies and bringing that technology to the market. Photon Forum will start high-energy conversations between scientists and entrepreneurs, and get ideas on the path to commercialization."

In addition to funding, Photon Forum will feature two days of presentations showcasing two technology areas within optics and optoelectronics currently considered hot" in terms of investor interest and technology developments:

1) Bio-Optics, the recent trend of merging optics and biotechnology, including applications in genetics research, medical diagnostics and therapeutics.

2) Defense and Security, which includes such photonic applications as hyperspectral imaging, chemical and biological sensing, and biometrics.

The events keynote speaker will be U.S. Air Force Major General (retired) Donald Lamberson, Ph.D. Heavily involved with high-energy laser research since 1964, General Lamberson is credited with the first laser shoot down on an aerial target in 1973 at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico. He was also responsible for the initial management of the "Star Wars" program initiated by U.S. President Ronald Reagan in the 1980s. Since retiring from active duty in 1989, he has remained active as a sought-after technical advisor and consultant.

A technology showcase and golf tournament will bookend the event.

Photon Forum is specifically aimed at industry players, including venture capitalists, optics industry leaders, CEOs, CTOs, and senior-level managers, researchers, and product engineers. Though the 2004 event is intended to be relatively small (a crowd of about 100 is expected), presenters and registered participants represent all facets and geographical regions of U.S. optical science and optical engineering.

In launching Photon Forum, we wanted to draw companies and talent from across the country," said Perkins. It made practical and marketing sense to hold the first event locally. Arizona, Tucson in particular, has an international reputation within optics circles for its high concentration of cutting-edge research. The reputation for ideal spring golf weather doesnt hurt."

Tucsons reputation stems from the fact it is home to approximately 200 high-level optics companies, ranging in size from garage-based micro businesses to Raytheon Missile Systems-the areas largest defense employer and a Photon Forum sponsor. The Phoenix area also boasts a significant portfolio.

Optics is recognized by the Arizona Department of Commerce as a key cluster industry", included with bioindustry, environmental technology, and plastics and advanced composite materials, as a major high tech industry group demonstrating significant and growing impact on the future of the States economy.

Arizonas concentration of optics-related businesses have close ties to the University of Arizonas renowned Optical Sciences Center. The centers work includes the Gamma Ray Spectrometer aboard NASA's Mars Odyssey spacecraft and the $31 million Harries camera, which will be aboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter in 2005.

About Breault Research Organization
Breault Research Organization (www.breault.com) offers optical software, consulting services, and custom software development to customers around the world. With over 40 employees, predominantly optical engineers, physicists, and programmers, Breault's client base includes Fortune 500 companies, as well as startups.

Founded in 1979 by Dr. Robert Breault, Breault is now the premier authority on optical challenges for the biotech, automotive illumination, opto-electronics, display, medical, semiconductor, and telecommunications industries. Breault leverages its R&D heritage to provide innovative answers to these industries' most difficult optical and illumination problems. Located in Tucson, Arizona, home of "Optics Valley," Breault is closely affiliated with the University of Arizona's Optical Sciences Center. Breault is ISO 9001:2000 Certified.

For more information about Breault Research Organization, contact Michael Stevenson, Marketing Director. email: mstevenson@breault.com, phone: (520) 721-0500 x 189.

About PennWell Corporation
PennWell (www.pennwell.com) is a diversified media company providing 45 authoritative print and online publications, 50 conferences and exhibitions, research, databases, Internet-based services and other information products to strategic global markets. The industries served by

PennWell include oil and gas, power generation and distribution, electronics, semiconductor manufacturing, lasers, fiber optics, water and wastewater, computer graphics, communications,
dentistry, and the fire service. In addition to its corporate headquarters in Tulsa, Oklahoma, PennWell has major offices in Houston, Texas; Nashua, New Hampshire; Seattle, Washington; Providence, Rhode Island; Fair Lawn, New Jersey; Campbell, California, and international locations including London, England; Schwabisch, Germany, and Hong Kong.

For more information about PennWell Corporation, contact Melissa Kolodziej. email: Melissak@pennwell.com, phone: (603) 891-9169.

Additional Information on Photon Forum
Registration details and a complete (and current) program schedule and listing of presenters are available at www.opticsreport.com.

Note to Arizona-Based Media
Arizona-based Photon Forum attendees who register prior to March 20 receive a $200.00 discount. When registering, they should cite registration code PNF04AZ1.

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