Glasgow’s Scottish Event Campus (SEC), has welcomed SPIE, the International Society for Optics and Photonics, as its first post-lockdown conference. ‘Photonex + Vacuum Technologies 2021’ is the UK’s premier photonics event combined with Europe’s leading event for vacuum-enabled techniques and processes, and ‘Space, Satellites and Sustainability’ which highlights newly operational satellite systems featuring sensors supporting sustainability, both of which took place at SEC over three days from 28 to 30 September.

Later this autumn, SEC will be the host venue of international climate conference COP26. The COP 26 UN Climate Change Conference, hosted by the UK in partnership with Italy, will take place from 31 October to 12 November 2021 in the Scottish Event Campus.

In light of the worldwide effects of COVID-19, the COP Bureau of the UNFCCC, with the UK and its Italian partners, had decided to re-schedule the conference initially slated for November 2020. Rescheduling the conference ensures that all parties can focus on the issues to be discussed at this vital conference and allows more time for the necessary preparations to take place. We will continue to work with all involved to increase climate ambition, build resilience and lower emissions.

The SPIE conference marked a key milestone for the SEC as it moved out of lockdown, with the conference being the first since the COVID19 pandemic began. Delegates once again had the opportunity to attend in-person research presentations and keynote speeches, as well has having invaluable time to network and discuss the numerous topics covered with their peers.

The conference also included two leading exhibitions with product demos, industry presentations and technical workshops.