23 - 27 August 2026
San Diego, California, US

Exhibitor Logistics for SPIE Optics + Photonics

Information for successful exhibition planning

Information to prepare for the 2026 exhibition

On this page you will find deadlines, tools, helpful links, and more to help with your planning for a successful event. You'll find official contact information, official contractor information, policies, and more.

Jump to: Exhibitor dashboard | Plan your space | Scam warning | Official contractors | Prepare for your onsite experience | Promote your presence at the show | Lead retrieval

San Diego Convention Center
111 West Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101

Tuesday 25 August | 10:00 AM-5:00 PM
Wednesday 26 August | 10:00 AM-5:00 PM
Thursday 27 August | 10:00 AM-2:00 PM

Reserve your space

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Important dates and deadlines SPIE Optics + Photonics Exhibition


Update exhibitor listing Open
Request visa invitation letter Open
Reserve housing Available April 2026
Order booth furniture and utilities, via exhibitor service manual Open
Submit certificate of insurance Opens 27 July 2026
Ship to advance warehouse - download shipping labels Available July 2026
View booth staff roster Available May 2026

 

Payment, deposit, and refund dates

View the exhibition policies page to learn more. 

View exhibition policies

Manage your show through the exhibitor dashboard


Exhibitor listing and booth staff registration

  • Use the exhibitor dashboard to add or update company listings, including description, contact info, logo, and more
  • Read the dashboard tutorial | Download PDF
  • Send a reminder to your booth staff to register. Download e-postcard | Available May 2026
  • View your booth staff roster in the dashboard | Assign tech passes | Available May 2026
  • Read the registration tutorial. | Download PDF

Manage your show in the SPIE exhibitor dashboard

Plan your space and order services

  • Access the online exhibitor manual. | Sign in now
  • Find space specifications, display rules, electrical, sound, and related information. | Download PDF
  • Download services checklists and deadlines. | Download PDF

Manage your show in the SPIE exhibitor dashboard

SPIE Lead Retrieval means business


Capture all your leads within the app

SPIE will provide lead retrieval services to all exhibitors at no additional charge to your exhibit space. We're excited to share this valuable service through the SPIE Conference App. No set-up time required. The app makes it easy and convenient to capture leads all week, even outside the exhibit floor!

Exhibitor and attendees at SPIE Optics + Photonics exhibition

Official contractors for this exhibition


Read complete warning: Exercise due diligence when approached by vendors not endorsed by SPIE.

Audio Visual
Projection Presentation Services
+1 415 974 4077
exhibits@projection.com

Lead Retrieval
SPIE Lead Retrieval
+1 360 676 3290
leadretrieval@spie.org

Service Contractor
Freeman
+1 888 508 5054 (US); +1 817 210 4869 (Intl)

www.freemanco.com/store/show/outside-of-us

Steps and information to prepare for onsite


Make sure your staff are set for a busy week

Booth staff registration | Available May 2026
Send a reminder to your booth staff to register

 

Reserve housing | Available May 2026
Book your housing in the SPIE block at reduced rates

 

Visa invitation letter request
Need an invitation letter to obtain a travel visa? Apply now.

 

Download the SPIE Conference app
Organize your week. Browse exhibitors and the program.

 

SPIE exhibition policies

Exhibitor contract terms, conditions, and policies

 

SPIE event policies

Information about moving in and moving out


Hours of operation
Registration hours, set-up and dismantle hours

Promote your presence with these free resources


Download e-postcard | Available May 2026
Customizable. Copy/paste into Outlook and send to your customers.

 

Email and web resources | Available May 2026
Customizable. Add to your email signature, website, other marketing collateral.

 

Download event logos
For your print and digital promotions.

 

Social media tips
View our tip sheet for promoting your participation on social media.

Extend your presence with high-visibility sponsorships, placements, and ads

  • Sponsorships: Many opportunities to reach your target audience
  • Advertise: Download the 2026 media kit to view pricing for online and print options available.

A person has a purple bag over their shoulder with the words "your logo here" written in purple text.

Optics + Photonics Exhibition Management


Michele Bennett, CEM
Senior Exhibitions Manager
micheleb@spie.org

Nicole Wilke
Exhibition Coordinator
nicolew@spie.org

FAQs


Kiosks: 3’ lockable counter, custom backwall, 1 bar stool, carpet, wastebasket, and basic electric included. 

Tables: 2 ft. x 6 ft. x 30 in. black skirted table, two chairs, carpet, waste basket, and company ID sign included.

Booths: 8 ft. pipe and black drape back, 3 ft. side drape, and company ID sign included. Utilities and furnishings not included. Exhibitors are required to carpet booth area (if carpet is not provided in hall).

Mini Booths: 3’ lockable counter, custom backwall, 2 bar stools, carpet, wastebasket, and basic electric included.

Peninsula and Islands: Utilities and booth furnishings not included. Exhibitors are required to carpet exhibit space (if carpet is not provided in hall).

Offerings may differ per event, please refer to the Display Rules & Regulations specific to your event (available on the Exhibitor Logistics page).

SPIE Lead Retrieval, Non-author technical pass(s), online Exhibitor listing, a basic company listing in the optics.org Buyers Guide, discounted housing when booking in the block, and other promotional opportunities and sponsorships.

See the Exhibition Display Guidelines for rules and regulations of your exhibit space. For further assistance, contact exhibitions@spie.org.

  • Exhibit space contract fee
  • Exhibit space furnishings, carpet, signs, promotional collateral, giveaways, etc.
  • Union labor to assist setting up and dismantling exhibit space
  • Electrical, internet, cleaning, or AV equipment
  • Shipping, material handling fees, and empty container storage fee
  • Staff expenses: hotel accommodations, travel, etc.

Furnishings, electrical, and other display items can be ordered through the Exhibitor Manual. Exhibitor Liaisons will be notified when the Exhibitor Manual is available; it will also be posted on the Exhibitor Logistics page and in the Exhibitor Dashboard.

  • Order in advance – order furnishings, carpet, utilities, etc. before the discount deadline dates.
  • Shipping - consolidate shipments and ship to the advance warehouse before the deadline.
  • Housing - book your accommodations in the SPIE Housing Block under ‘Attend’ on the event website.

The preferred method is to ship your freight to the Advance Warehouse. Refer to the Exhibitor Manual Freight and Shipping section for shipping labels, costs, and deadlines.

If shipping direct to show site, freight is only accepted during exhibitor move-in and may incur additional fees. Please refer to the Exhibitor Manual for move-in dates and times.

You may install/dismantle your exhibit display if your booth is 10 ft. x 10 ft. or a tabletop AND it takes one person less than 30 minutes without hand tools. Otherwise, you must use Union labor personnel. Refer to the Exhibitor Manual for union regulations and jurisdictions.



One person is allowed to carry one or two boxes in one trip. The use of hand trucks is not allowed. The decorator offers special round trip material carrying service rates for exhibitor material. Refer to the Exhibitor Manual for material handling forms and rates.



Exhibitors are not allowed to begin pack-up prior to the close of the show. Any exhibitor who packs up early will forfeit 50% of their earned priority points and incur a $250 fee.



All attendees, including booth staff, must register themselves via the event registration page. Exhibitor Liaisons can assign technical passes to booth staff in the Exhibitor Dashboard.

Do not leave valuables unattended, including laptops. Event security is provided for the venue, but you and your staff are responsible for any valuables left in your exhibit space.



Available Sponsorship & Promotional opportunities are listed on the Exhibitor Logistics page. Please contact spiesales@spie.org for sponsorship details.



You may download, view, and email your invoice in the Exhibitor Dashboard. Login to the Exhibitor Dashboard, find the related event, and click on Review Exhibitor Invoice. Credit card payments can be made in the Exhibitor Dashboard or at https://spie.org/payment. SPIE accepts credit cards, checks, and wire transfers. A 2.5% processing fee is incurred for credit card payments.

Liability insurance is required to exhibit at all SPIE events. Log in to the Exhibitor Dashboard to upload your certificate of liability insurance.

Contracted exhibitors are allowed to share their exhibit space with co-exhibitors. A co-exhibitor application form and payment is required for each co-exhibiting company. To request a co-exhibitor form, contact exhibitions@spie.org.