Francisco Velasco, Editor Optik & Photonik

During a period of economic downturn, companies are particularly forced to offer benefits to their customers – to achieve a win-win situation for both parties. On the one hand, customers need to have the impression that they are making the right investment to also create added value for their customers and, on the other hand, the company needs to sell its products as well as retain its existing customers‘ loy-alty. Besides the normal workday trade shows are an ideal platform to attract new customers.

This brings me to what is possibly the most important highlight of the photonics industry this year: it’s Laser time again. The Laser World of Photonics will open its doors in June. At the exhibition (June 15–18, 2009), visitors will have the chance to see the latest photonics innovations built and developed to offer a specific benefit to the customer. And delegates may also choose from one of the many conferences, seminars and workshops that take place as part of the World of Photonics Congress from June 14–18, 2009.

To consider any photonics investments in the mid-term, you’re invited to read the article by Birgit Ladwig of Spectaris that we have included in this issue on page 8. In this market review she underlines the importance of Germany as a location for the optical technologies industry and also provides an outlook for the future.

In order to reflect the potential of the promising field biophotonics, we have started a new column in Optik & Photonik. Here, the Biophotonics Research Pro-gram reports on new projects, events and congresses. On page 11 of this issue you’ll find the biophotonics activities planned for the laser show – free for all trade show visitors.

During Laser fair, we also want our readers to benefit from our expertise. Please feel free to visit http://blog.pro-physik.de and stay tuned. The editorial team as well as guest editors from industry and research will be reporting directly from the fair. With this new feature we want our readers to benefit even more from our core competences.

I wish you all a successful time at the Laser fair and hope you enjoy reading this new issue of Optik & Photonik. I look forward to seeing you in Munich.

Yours,

Francisco Velascofvelasco@wiley.comhttp://blog.pro-physik.de

It‘s all about benefits

Meet the Editor

Laser World of PHOTONICS 15–18 June 2009Wiley-VCHHall C2, Booth #146Book Table, ICM

EDITORIAL

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