When SPIE Photonics West hits San Francisco in 2014, it will bring a bigger wave of attendees than ever, organizers predict: 20,000. Those attendees will have access to a variety of industry-focused events, 50 special and technical events, 70 professional development courses and a career fair. The exhibition will allow more than 1300 photonics companies to display and perhaps demonstrate their latest innovations. The event will be held Feb. 1-6 at the Moscone Center. The conference and exhibition includes the entire spectrum of light-driven technologies – from the latest in biomedical diagnostics to developments in industrial lasers – and brings together researchers and industry leaders from around the world. Six symposia will feature a total of 4500 R&D presentations: • The BiOS technical program – the largest symposium under the Photonics West umbrella – includes 2000 technical presentations in tracks on photonic therapeutics and diagnostics; clinical technologies and systems; optogenetics, tissue optics, laser-tissue interaction and tissue biomechanics; biomedical spectroscopy, microscopy and imaging; and nano/biophotonics. Technical topics will include enabling technologies for treatments of cancer, stroke, epilepsy, vision loss and more; three conferences will focus on the understanding and diagnosing of maladies of the brain. This year’s papers will feature translational/medical techniques that will positively affect health care. The BiOS Expo will kick off the Photonics West week with more than 230 companies and more than 5000 attendees. Photonics Media photo by Laura S. Marshall. • The LASE technical symposium will showcase the latest fundamental and applied research on laser sources and applications, from basic laser devices and materials research to semiconductor lasers and LEDs; from device and system engineering for emerging nanotechnologies to microelectronic, photonic and industrial laser manufacturing, 3-D printing, and free-space communications. • OPTO will address topics such as optical interactions, optoelectronic materials, semiconductor lasers and LEDs, solid-state lighting, photonic integration and system engineering, displays and holography, nanotechnology in photonics, advanced quantum and optoelectronic applications, photonics packaging, optical communications, data centers, and optoelectronic device integration for a variety of commercial applications. • MOEMS-MEMS will focus on optical MEMS, bioMEMS, nanofabrication, microfluidics, commercialization, device and system reliability, adaptive optics, and digital micromirror devices. It also will provide a forum for presentation of device miniaturization supporting the biomedical and life sciences. • The Green Photonics virtual symposium at Photonics West will highlight papers from all areas of the conference with technologies applied in energy sources, energy efficiencies, sustainability, conservation and other green components. • The Translational Research virtual symposium will offer an additional opportunity to showcase the latest photonic technologies, tools and techniques with high potential to impact health care in a positive way. The 2014 focus will be on cancer, heart disease and neurological disease. For more information on SPIE Photonics West, visit http://spie.org/pw.