During the 44th edition of SPIE Photonics West in San Francisco, the world’s leading international exhibition dedicated to optics and photonics, the first-ever Italian National Pavilion was inaugurated, marking a significant milestone for Italy’s presence in the high-technology and innovation sectors.
The initiative was realized in collaboration with the Italian Trade Agency – Los Angeles Office, and served as a strategic platform to showcase Italian excellence in photonic and laser technologies. This represented an important occasion to foster connections among companies, research institutions, and investors within one of the world’s most important international arenas for advanced industrial, scientific, and technological applications.
The Pavilion hosted 12 Italian companies, representing a sector that in Italy includes approximately 200 active firms with an estimated total turnover ranging between €4.8 and €10.8 billion. Italy’s optics and photonics industry stands out for its highly innovative and technologically advanced ecosystem, where large industrial groups coexist with highly specialized SMEs and academic research spin-offs.
As part of broader economic, scientific, and innovation diplomacy efforts, participation in SPIE Photonics West strengthened dialogue and expanded collaboration opportunities between Italy and the United States in high technology, applied research, and technology transfer.
During the event, the Consul General Massimo Carnelos, together with the Deputy Consul General Davide Corriero and the Scientific Attaché Romeo Beccherelli, visited the exhibition to meet the participating companies and learn firsthand about the projects and technological solutions on display.
At the conclusion of the trade fair, the Consulate General hosted participating companies for a dedicated networking event, aimed at encouraging dialogue, cooperation, and the strengthening of ties between Italian and U.S. innovation ecosystems.
