SPIE and Laurin Publishing, publisher of Photonics Spectra magazine and Photonics.com, have agreed to jointly create the first Photonics Innovation Awards to honor distinguished global achievement in technology and product development, announced Peter Hallett, SPIE’s manager of industry relations, this morning during Photonics West. The awards will be presented for the first time at Photonics West 2009. “Laurin Publishing created a lot of good will with its Circle of Excellence Awards,” Hallett told exhibitors during a SPIE breakfast. “We’re now working on a process to bring an award back to Photonics West and in the next 12 months will be keeping you up-to-date.” A call to submit entries for the awards competition will be announced over the next few months. More Photonics West 2008 news: www.photonics.com/ie_pw_2008.aspx