Video

SPIE Director Explores Trends In Defense, Security, And Sensing At SPIE DSS

Source: SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics

Peter Hallett, director of marketing and industry relations at SPIE, and Ron Grunsby, editor at Photonics Online, talk about current trends in the defense, security, and sensing industry, as well as SPIE moving DSS from Orlando to Baltimore, SPIE's initiatives taken on in the last year, and the organization's initiatives for the future.

Video Transcript

Ron Grunsby: Hi. My name is Ron Grunsby with Photonics Online here at SPIE Defense, Security, And Sensing 2012 in Baltimore. I am here with Peter Hallett, director of marketing and industry relations for SPIE. Thank you for taking time with us at the show.

Peter Hallett: It is great to be here.

Ron Grunsby: What was the reasoning behind moving the show to Baltimore? Has the result been what you were hoping for?

Peter Hallett: It has been fantastic. A lot of the drivers had to do with facilities. We were outgrowing facilities in Orlando as well as the proximity to the local community here. The government, the research labs, the universities - the industry base is much stronger in the Baltimore and D.C. area for defense, security, and sensing.

Ron Grunsby: What are some of the more interesting trends that you are seeing in the defense, security, and sensing industry so far?

Peter Hallett: It is amazing how much we realize that optics and photonics are in the middle of every system that is used for defense and security from the smallest rifle scope to the satellites that are creating enormous amounts of intelligence and providing information for environmental sensing, farming, geological applications, as well as defense and security.

Ron Grunsby: What are some of the initiatives that SPIE has taken on in the last year?

Peter Hallett: We have been focusing on making this move successful. In general, SPIE has been doing a lot of work in the area of science technology engineering and math education. We have implemented some programs to make it easier for teachers to get at materials that help them communicate to kids how much fun it is to be in science. Essentially, we are pursuing the mission that we have had for over 50 years, which is to connect the research community with industry and then try to bring along the next generation of scientists and engineers.

Ron Grunsby: What things are on the horizon for the next year or two?

Peter Hallett: We are doing a lot of work to build this event. We are broadening a bit so that it will include some industrial sensing, some environmental sensing. There are also some things with regard to laser technology and image processing technology that allow people to use technology originally developed for the defense department for other applications. We are helping to commercialize those applications. Helping companies to grow into new areas has been a big part to what we do as well.

Ron Grunsby: I appreciate your time Peter. Thank you.