OFC 2025

Now is the turn of San Diego to host the OFC, the greatest optical networking and communication conference, showcasing the latest innovations in the field.

What novelties have you prepared for this 2019 edition?

This year’s OFC will focus on numerous forward-looking technologies and advancements in the optical networking and communications industry. The event’s plenary speakers will cover exciting advancements in self-driving vehicles and mobility, the drivers and catalysts for 5G optical network build-out including cloud advancements, and how co-packaging of photonics and electronics offers additional improvements in power, density and performance as the industry scales to higher data rates.

The event presents a multifaceted programme with workshops at OFC and special events. Which of the activities do you think are a must for the visitor or which of them do you highlight?

In addition to its compelling lineup of plenary, invited and technical speakers, OFC’s conference programming located in the Exhibit Hall Theaters includes OFC Market Watch, Network Operator Summit and 15+ programs focused on industry growth segments.

Market Watch is a three-day, six session series of panel discussions on the latest application topics and business issues in the field of optical communications, including the popular “State of the Industry - Analyst Panel,” which kicks off the program on Tuesday, 5 March.

The one-day Network Operator Summit presents the inside perspective from service providers and network operators – their challenges, drivers and how their requirements may impact the future of the industry. Everyone in the supply chain, from equipment manufacturers to components, will want to hear what’s next in meeting the needs of all network operators.

What are the advantages of exhibiting at OFC2019?

OFC is the only global exhibition that truly represents the entire optical communications ecosystem, from research to the marketplace and paints a complete picture of the industry — where it is today and where it is going tomorrow in terms of research, technologies and product solutions.

As the largest optical communications conference and exhibition in the world, OFC defines the market and brings together the thought leaders and solution providers from 72 countries across the globe that drives the industry. More than 25% of attendees are c-level executives and 70% of attendees have a role in buying decision.

Can you give some tips for those exhibiting for the first time in San Diego and specifically at OFC?

The OFC team is available to serve the needs of its exhibitors and provides a comprehensive OFC Exhibitor Service Manual which includes: key contacts, exhibitor check list with deadlines, important booth guidelines and floor plan, and more.

In the exhibition rules and regulations section of the manual, there is a complete synopsis for booth guidelines and exhibition rules for booth contents, set-up, security and safety.

The marketing portion of the Exhibitor Manual guides new and old exhibitors through the various promotional and PR opportunities, including sponsorships, meeting space and free PR programs.

All events on the exhibit floor are free to registered attendees. Attire at OFC is business casual — slacks, polo shirts, sweaters, blazers, blouses and most importantly comfortable shoes. Temperatures for San Diego in March average between 67 to 54 degrees Fahrenheit or 19 to 12 degrees Celsius. Be sure to bring a light weight sweater or jacket to the Convention Center.

Also, to make the most out of your OFC experience, be prepared before you arrive. Download the free OFC Conference mobile app to help plan your OFC experience. The OFC mobile app allows users to search for technical presentations; explore the Exhibition by viewing a list of exhibitors and show floor programs; and network with attendees.

Can anybody attend at OFC? How to register?

OFC offers several options for registration including student, member and non-member, exhibits only and short courses only. You are encouraged to review the comprehensive guidelines and register before 4 February to enjoy discounted prices. Simple instructions on how to register online to attend OFC 2019 can find it in the official website.

What is the exhibitor profile?

Representing a range of products — from optical components and devices to systems, test equipment, software and specialty fiber — OFC features the entire supply chain and provides the premier marketplace where the industry learns, connects, networks and closes deals. More than 700 global companies, including established global brands and industry start-ups, use OFC as a platform to launch and demonstrate new products and innovations. Companies participating in OFC 2018 included: Arrayed Fiberoptics Corporation, ATOP Corporation, IBM, Ciena, Coriant, Corning Incorporated, Cisco Systems, EFFECT Photonics, Finisar, Fujitsu Optical Components, Global Communication Semiconductors, Inc.; Huawei Technologies, Infinera, Juniper Networks, Infinera, Intel, II-VI, MACOM, Foxcomm, , Go!Foton, BroadcomLumentum, Mellanox Technologies, Mitsubishi International, Nokia and more. Technologies on display include network and test equipment, optical transport systems and optical component, fiber cables and specialty fiber manufacturers. Major global companies including ATOP, ColorChip, Huawei and Xilinx showcased products and solutions in 5G, WDM Transport Network (WTN), submarine optical fiber and data center technologies.

What is the visitor profile?

OFC is the industry’s best opportunity to meet key buyers with C-level executives representing more than 25% of attendees. Here is typical breakdown of attendees:
BUYER JOB FUNCTIONS:
Executive Management (CEO, CFO, etc.)
Executive Technical (CTO, CIO, Chief Scientist)
R&D Director/Manager
Network/Systems Engineer
Network Architect
Researcher/Scientist
Purchasing Director/Manager

Which are the 5 more relevant tradeshows in the sector?

Since OFC is the only global conference that truly represents the entire optical communications ecosystem, there is no exact comparison. A few of the other well-known optical trade shows are: ECOC, NGON & DCI, SDN NFV World Congress, SPIE and CIOE.

Can you give us some participation results from the last edition? How many visitors attend? In total from the exhibitors, from how many different nationalities they are?

OFC 2018 concluded with more than 15,500 attendees from 75 different countries, with 33% of attendees based outside the United States. The only global event where attendees witness the innovation behind the technology that powers communications today, OFC has been on a steep growth trajectory over the last three years, increasing in overall square footage by 44% and experiencing a 21% growth in exhibitors and attendees.

Lastly, regarding the exhibitor, how many stand exhibitors participate in the last edition? In total how many different countries they are?

More than 700 global organizations from 65 different countries, including established global brands and industry start-ups, participated in the 2018 event.

Anually, the Optical Fiber Communications Conference and Exhibition is presented. This 2018 San Diego Convention Center will receive people from all the world offering key networking and partnering opportunities. The exhibition will take place from march 13 to 15. For getting ready to this amazing exhibition we present you an interview made to the OFC Team.

The fair presents a BtoB Networking Platform. Could you explain about it?

For more than 40 years, OFC (the Optical Fiber Communication Conference and Exhibition) has drawn attendees from all corners of the globe to meet and greet, teach and learn, make connections and move business forward. OFC is the one event that defines the market and brings together the thought leaders and solution providers that drive the industry. Representing a range of products - from optical components and devices to systems, test equipment, software and specialty fiber - OFC represents the entire supply chain and provides the premier marketplace where the industry learns, connects, networks and closes deals.

OFC attracts the biggest names in the field, offers key networking and partnering opportunities, and provides insights and inspiration on the major trends and technology advances affecting the industry. From technical presentations to the latest market trends and predictions, OFC is a one-stop-shop.

What are the latest trends in the Optical Communications and Networking Professionals Industry? Will these trends be exhibit also in the fair?

OFC prides itself on showcasing the latest trends in the optical communications and networking market. This year’s conference will tackle the very latest ground-breaking optical innovations, data-center connectivity, 5G-oriented optical networking, quantum-scale and cloud computing, and the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning in optical networks.

At OFC 2018, industry leaders have identified and will present on the following key trend areas:

• Active optical devices and photonic integrated circuits
• Advances in deployable optical components, fibers and field installation equipment
• Advances in deployable subsystems and systems
• Advanced in deployable networks and their applications
• Digital and electronic subsystems
• Digital transmission systems
• Control and management of multilayer networks
• Fiber and propagation physics
• Fiber-optic and waveguide devices and sensors
• Network architectures and techno-economics
• Optical access networks for fixed  and mobile services
• Optical, photonic and microwave photonic subsystems
• Optical devices, subsystems and networks for Datacom and Computercom
• Passive optical devices and circuits for switching and filtering
• Radio-over-fiber, free-space optics and sensing systems

Conference programming located in Exhibit hall theaters includes OFC Market Watch, Network Operator Summit and 15+ programs focused on industry growth segments.

• Market Watch is a three-day, six session series of panel discussions on the latest application topics and business issues in the field of optical communications, including the popular “State of the Industry - Analyst Panel.”
• The one-day Network Operator Summit presents the inside perspective from service providers and network operators – their challenges, drivers and how their requirements may impact the future of the industry.

This year’s Data Center Summit session will focus on optical Interconnect—technologies and markets. Panelists will debate multiple topics related to the data center and how connecting data centers poses a different opportunity for network operators.

The OFC Open Platform Summit (OPS) Session, “SDN & NFV Demo Zone,” will provide attendees with the opportunity to view live demonstrations and prototypes of collaborative research projects, pre-commercial products and proof-of-concept implementations in the SDN and NFV space.

Building on the success of its first two years, the Connected OFCity Challenge returns in 2018 with a new format. “Connected OFCITY Challenge 2018: Lighting Up the Emerging World” will feature Alibaba and Google collaborating to develop communications infrastructure and services based on requirements defined by CSquared and NSRC, to address the pressing needs for two cities in a fast developing area in East Africa. The scenarios will provide a realistic insight into the major issues faced by the communications industry in emerging economies, which include network reliability, environmental restrictions, limited funding, regulatory issues and more.

Also returning to OFC 2018 is the interactive Lab Automation Hackathon. Technology leaders from Nokia Bell Labs, Acacia Communications and the Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden will hold an interactive session demonstrating how to use open source software in easy to learn languages, such as Python, to quickly get a lab experiment running and display the measurements in a browser.

What news have you prepared for the 2018 edition? What about the insights on the major trends and technology advances?

OFC’s conference program is unparalleled—offering the industry’s foremost technical presentations spotlighting market trends and predictions. With the industry experiencing escalating bandwidth growth altering how networks operate and evolve, participation in OFC is more critical than ever.

OFC will include in-depth coverage of photonic integrated circuits, optical networking, digital-signal processing, ASICs, free-space optical communications, quantum optics and more. Whether you are in the academic or the commercial community, at OFC you will have the opportunity to listen, learn, collaborate, take a course, see new products, meet with colleagues and vendors, conduct business, see the state-of-the-art and glimpse into the future of optical communications.

1,100 conference sessions Anchoring the week long business and technical conversations and product demos, OFC’s plenary features three industry visionaries discussing future innovations in optics-based communication technologies:

• Marcus Weldon, President, Nokia Bell Labs, USA
• John C. Doyle, John G Braun Professor of Control and Dynamical Systems Electrical Engineering, and Bioengineering, California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
• Chengliang Zhang, Vice President, China Telecom Beijing Research Institute, China

What are the advantages of exhibiting at OFC?

OFC is the only global conference that truly represents the entire optical communications ecosystem, from research to the marketplace and paints a complete picture of the industry — where it is today and where it is going tomorrow in terms of research, technologies and product solutions.

As the largest optical communications conference in the world, OFC defines the market and brings together the thought leaders and solution providers from 72 countries across the globe that drive the industry. In fact, more than 25% of attendees are c-level executives and 70% of attendees have a role in buying decision.

Representing a range of products - from optical components and devices to systems, test equipment, software and specialty fiber - OFC represents the entire supply chain and provides the premier marketplace where the industry learns, connects, networks and closes deals.  

Can you give us some tips to take the best out of visiting this event?

To make the most out of your OFC experience, be prepared before you arrive. Download the free OFC Conference mobile app to help plan your OFC experience. The OFC mobile app allows users to search for technical presentations; explore the Exhibition by viewing a list of exhibitors and show floor programs; and network with attendees.

• Access Technical Papers: Full technical registrants can navigate directly to the technical papers right from the app  
• Plan Your Day With the Full Conference Program: Search for conference presentations by day, topic, speaker or program type. Plan your schedule by setting bookmarks or clicking "Add to Schedule" on programs of interest.
• Explore the Exhibition: Search for exhibitors in alphabetical order or by, and set a bookmark reminder to stop by their booth. View a daily schedule of all activities occurring on the show floor.
• Network with Attendees: All OFC registered attendees are listed in the app, searchable by name, title or organization. Send a contact request to an attendee, and initiate another valuable networking opportunity. You can also interact with conference staff, speakers and exhibitors.
• Navigate the Convention Center: Explore the San Diego Convention Center—both classrooms and expo hall—with interactive maps. It’s easy to find events and activities based on topics of interest.

All events on the exhibit floor are free to registered attendees. Attire at OFC is business casual — slacks, polo shirts, sweaters, blazers, blouses and most importantly comfortable shoes. Temperatures for San Diego in March average between 67 to 54 degrees Fahrenheit or 19 to 12 degrees Celsius. Be sure to bring a light weight sweater or jacket to the Convention Center.

Why does OFC attracts the biggest names in the field?

With more than 15,000 attendees and 700+ exhibitors from across the globe, OFC is the world’s largest and most comprehensive optical networking and communications event. OFC is the annual convergence of leading organizations, professionals, executives, analysts, technical experts, academia and media in the optical communications and networking industry.

It provides a one-stop for information, networking, and business solutions for the latest in optical communications and networking. All events on the exhibit floor are free to registered attendees.

How to apply to exhibit or attend?

Reserving exhibit space for OFC is easy, simply visit our webpage. 

Questions can be directed to the OFC Sales Team, 202-416-1428, sales@ofcconference.org

• View the most current floor plan.
• Determine the desired size and location of your booth.
• Review the rules and regulations.
• Complete the exhibit space application. Submit your 50% non-refundable deposit with the application.

Simple instructions and a link on how to register online to attend OFC 2018 web page.

Lastly, can you give us some participation results from the last edition?

OFC 2017, held in Los Angeles, CA concluded with 663 exhibiting companies, more than 1,100 peer-reviewed papers and 14,500 attendees. We currently have more than 700 exhibitors signed up for OFC 2018 and anticipate more than 15,000 attendees.

OFC 2017 is the event to discuss the major trends and technology advances affecting the optical communications industry. Fueling these trend discussions, OFC 2017’s technical program will feature more than 120 peer-reviewed presentations on emerging technologies.

The technology's one of the most powerful and necessary industries at this moment. What are the coming trends? Have the new generations changed the situation?

A few key developments that we will see discussed at this year’s show include:

• How to leverage advanced devices and fibres for high-speed data centre links
• How to leverage optical innovations for next-generation 5G networks, Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies.

This year’s OFC will also host the Smart City Competition which incorporates innovative VR technologies. The Connected OFCity Challenge team competition was first held at OFC 2016 as a representative platform to discuss technological innovations of a smart city project.

The OFCity Challenge returns this year to debate technologies concerning future services in a smart city, building upon the results of last year’s competition.

In addition, the popular Data Center Summit, showcasing the benefits of Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Functions Virtualization (NFV), will include both a technical presentation and a live demonstration. The technical presentation will provide an overview of open hardware and software platforms for designing, deploying and operating large-scale networks and complex commercial networking environments.

The “SDN & NFV Demo Zone,” will provide the OFC audience with the opportunity to see a live demonstration and prototype of collaborative research projects, pre-commercial products and proof-of-concept networks in the SDN and NFV space.

Do you think that optical communications are essential for any company? Why?

Optical communications is a large and dynamic market touching companies across the globe regardless of industry. Capital expenditures among network operators reached nearly $180 billion in 2016, according to market research firm LightCounting. A strong growth segment is in the expansion of data centres, with Google spending $10 billion alone, and over $3 billion in transceiver sales for data centres across all customers, according to Discerning Analytics. And that’s not all; we are seeing significant developments throughout the industry, from fibre to the home to undersea systems.

OFC Conference, it's an international well-known event about technology, but what makes it different from other similar events?

Every year, OFC is the world’s largest and most prestigious event dedicated to optical networking and communications. It is the one event that defines the market and brings together the thought leaders and solution providers that drive the industry.

The global exhibitors and attendees represent a range of products – from optical components and devices to systems, test equipment, software to speciality fibre. OFC is the only global conference that truly represents the entire ecosystem, from research to the marketplace and paints a picture of the entire industry — where it is today and where it is going tomorrow in terms of research, technologies and product solutions.

The show is also the perfect place to discover new products but innovations especially. Do you have any focus?

As the largest optical communications conference in the world, OFC 2017 has in-depth coverage of photonic integrated circuits, optical networking, digital signal processing, ASICs, free-space optical communications, quantum optics, and more. However, the primary themes emerging for 2017 include how to leverage optical innovations for next-generation 5G networks, Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality.

And on the same line, what can you highlight from the next edition? What is going to be the novelties?

For more than 40 years, OFC has drawn attendees from all corners of the globe to meet and greet, teach and learn, make connections and move the business forward. We are seeing a transcendence of knowledge and innovation in optical networking today and OFC 2017’s presentations will provide guidance for 5G network infrastructure and beyond. We anticipate OFC 2018 (11-15 March, San Diego, CA) to follow similar trends.

OFC it's a good opportunity to meet other technology professionals and make business agreements, can you give some tips for those attending for the first time?

OFC is your one-stop for information, networking, and business solutions for the latest in optical communications and networking. All events on the exhibit floor are free to registered attendees. Attire at OFC is business casual — slacks, polo shirts, sweaters, blazers, blouses and most importantly comfortable shoes. Temperatures for Los Angeles in March average between 66 to 48 degrees Fahrenheit or 19 to 9 degrees Celsius. Be sure to bring a lightweight sweater or jacket to the Convention Center.

Do you recommend us any conference in particular?

With more 1,150 presentations, OFC offers dynamic and innovative programming providing a wide variety of conference session options. Attendees can choose from highly interactive workshops to symposiums to tutorials to comprehensive exhibit floor programming.

This year’s OFC’s dynamic plenary program featuring three distinctive and renowned global leaders is a don’t miss:

• Mischa Dohler, Professor King's College, London, UK, Talk: Internet of Skills – Where Communications, Robotics and AI;
• Urs Hölzle, Senior Vice President for Technical Infrastructure Google, Inc., USA, Talk: A Ubiquitous Cloud Requires a Transparent Network;
• Meint K. Smit, Professor Eindhoven University of Technology, Netherlands, Talk: Photonic Integrated Circuits for all: How foundries are transforming the prototyping of exciting new devices.

What represents your event for the annual calendar of the industry?

OFC is the annual event that defines the market and unites thought leaders and solution providers driving the optical communications and networking industry.

Why do you think that Los Angeles it's the best place to organize a trade show or make business?

Organizers typically hold OFC at a city and venue in California for its proximity to eastern hemisphere countries and abundance of housing and dining options for exhibitors and attendees. In past years, the conference has been held in San Francisco, CA; Anaheim, CA and next year it will be in San Diego, CA. 

Give us some reasons to don't miss the show.

• OFC attracts the biggest names in the field including 600+ exhibitors
• Offers key networking and partnering opportunities
• Provides insights and inspiration on the major trends and technology advances affecting the industry
• From technical presentations to the latest market trends and predictions, there is no other industry event that provides more value than OFC

Lastly, can you give us some participation results from the last edition?

• 580 exhibiting companies from more than 65 countries
• 340,000 square feet of exhibit space
• more than 13,000 attendees
• over 1,150 technical and business presentations
• 78 registered media and analysts
• mentioned in nearly 7,000 media articles.

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With 40 years experience and over 550 exhibitors, OFC is the largest global conference and exposition for optical communications and networking professionals.

Sign up now on the official website and start planning your exhibition by choosing the best design for your booth. We will send you some proposals from the best Stand contractors in Los Angeles.

OFC is the largest global conference and exposition for optical communications and networking professionals. As the next edition takes place very soon (20-24 March), we've been talking with OFC's Management Team who have answered some questions and revealed us all the novelties and details we need to know to participate on 2016's edition. And you, are going to miss it?

How is OFC shaping up by the numbers this year?

Last year’s OFC in Los Angeles wrapped with 560 exhibitors, more than 1,100 presentations and 12,375 attendees from around the world. Mirroring a dynamic and growing industry, we anticipate that we will meet if not exceed our 2015 numbers. In fact, we already have 560 booth spaces registered.

What technologies (connector and otherwise) do you expect to take centre stage this year? How is this different or how has it evolved from last year?

We expect this year’s event to showcase a multitude of technologies, including new research and product focus on SDN and data centre optics. Specific to cabling professionals is the recent introduction of the RCx Multi-Source Agreement (MSA) – a new standard for short network cables.

“With escalating bandwidth needs each year and the constant change in data rates from 10G to 40G to 100G, if you don’t attend even just one year of OFC, you are actually missing out. You are missing the latest trends, the latest developments and the latest technologies” - OFC 2016 Program Chair – Martin Birk, AT&T Labs.

What’s new with the show this year? Any special events, activities, or presentations our readers shouldn’t miss?

We are excited about this year’s conference. Like in past years, we host some of the most innovative names in telecom, optical communications and datacom and offer our attendees a one-stop shop – the best technical presentations to the latest in market trends and predictions.

However, there are a few ‘must sees’ that you just can’t miss! Featured on our exhibit floor is a session developed by the Ethernet Alliance – “Ethernet Fiber Optic Cabling Trends.” The panel, featuring speakers from Corning, CommScope, Panduit and Amphenol will discuss the latest trends in Ethernet fibre optic cabling. From structured cabling with low-loss connectivity to 400GbE cabling, the panel will explore the latest trends in cabling with a focus on connector loss and how cabling affects the optical module standards.

Also new to OFC in 2016 is the Data Center Summit featuring a session organized by Cisco and Finisar — “Next Generation Data Center Optics.” Experts from Intel, Avago and Broadcom will address the emerging optics needs of the data center market and the discussion will compare and contrast the needs and solutions for the hyper-scale and enterprise data center markets, for both the next wave of deployments at 25GbE and 100GbE, as well as the next generation based on 50GbE, 400GbE and possible derivatives (e.g. 200G).

On Thursday, the Plastic Optical Fiber Trade Organization (POFTO) is organizing a POF Symposium that will cover recent developments in POF technology, applications, technical standards, industry progress and new markets. Speakers from around the world will review opportunities for POF in areas such as Gigabit POF, 4K/8K ultra high definition television (UHDTV), home networking, IPTV, consumer devices, aerospace & automobile applications, POF sources & sensors, and high-temperature POF, among others.

What should attendees plan to take away from OFC?

Through diverse technical programming and special sessions, we designed OFC to empower industry thought leaders and executives with compelling and dynamic content. Our exhibit floor and conference feature global leaders, diverse programming, interactive workshops and unique technical sessions making it a ‘can't-miss’ for the optical communications industry. There is truly something for everyone – from optical components to optical transport systems.

Is there any one thing in particular that you think the show floor will be “buzzing” about?

With a gathering of 12,000 optical communications professionals, we see OFC as the critical event for the industry. Early discussion among industry thought leaders and analysts indicate there will be a great deal of “buzz” about 100G, SDN and silicon photonics.

Below are a few of the research highlights from the technical conference:

• New Optical Transmitter Enables Better Communication Networks
• Germanium-based Photonics Offer Promise for Novel Sensors and Faster Internet
• Record-breaking Signal Transmission Capacity Paves the Way for Faster Internet