Despite the global financial crisis, more than 200 exhibitors and 15,000 visitors are expected to attend Laser World of Photonics China 2009 this week at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. This year the show is extending its coverage, which traditionally focuses on things like laser processing and scientific laser devices, to include optics and optics manufacturing technologies. The laser and photonics industries, especially in certain fields, have been hit by the economic downturn. China, which had been thriving before the crisis and is still the biggest optical processing and manufacturing center in the world (seventy percent of lenses and lens arrays are produced there) as also taken a hit. Organizers say they expect this year's event to be down slightly in exhibitors (200 vs. 206 in 2008) and visitors to be down almost 20 percent (about 15,000 vs. 18,428 in 2008). Global players such as Coherent, nLight, Osram Opto Semiconductors, Rofin Sinar Laser, Schott, Spectra Physics and Trumpf Lasertechnik are expected to participate in the exhibition. The 2008 event featured exhibitors from 16 countries and attendees from 41 countries interested in a broad range of industry sectors: electronics, optics, semiconductor, general mechanical engineering and precision engineering to name a few. Germany will also participate with an international pavilion. The fourth annual event will be held March 17-19, once again staged together with electronica & Productronica China 2009, the International Electronic Circuits Exhibition (CPCA Show) and Semicon China under the umbrella of "Shanghai International IT & Electronics Fair" (SIIEF) to make the biggest electronics industry event in China. The conference program is collaborated by Chinese research institutes, industry associations and media partners and will include a series of lectures on the most important growth sectors in the Chinese market for optical technologies. It will touch upon topics like applied laser technology and optical communication and will also offer exhibitors an additional platform where they can present their latest innovative products and services. Organized by Messe München International, Laser Zentrum Hannover, the Laser Institute of America and Laser Processing Committee of Chinese Optical Society, the 4th International Conference on Laser Processes and Components (LPC) two-day event will focus on laser processing technologies, laser components, and current developments and trends in optical technologies. To promote the cooperation and technology transfer between science and industry in the field of laser technology, LPC offers extensive coverage of topics, including laser micro- and macroprocessing, optical components and laser systems, and laser safety. The conference will also include a three-day Optics Frontier - 2009 Laser Technology Forum to promote the combination of domestic laser research and industry development. Organized by the Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics and Messe München International, the forum will showcase topics, including laser structure and design, high-power lasers and their applications, femtosecond, semiconductor and fiber lasers, and laser industry applied technology. Within the Laser World of Photonics China, the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology together with the AUMA organized the "German World of Laser & Photonics" in order to present the performance of the German optical technologies. The event focuses on three important application areas for innovative products of the photonics industry: illumination, life sciences and material processing. In addition to the show, a symposium will be organized for keynote speakers to give short lectures about the current state-of-the-art science and latest technology developments in photonics. A special exhibit titled, "Optical Components and Manufacturing Technology for Optics," will also be offered to attendees. The event organized by Munich International Trade Fairs and Munich Trade Fairs (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., and is co-organized by the Chinese Optical Society (COS) - Laser Processing Committee and Jing Mu International Exhibition Co. Ltd. Supporting associations include Laser Subcommittee of China Optics and Optoelectronics Manufacturers Association (COEMA), Shanghai Society of Laser, Beijing Optical Society, Competence Networks for Optical Technologies (OPTECNET), the Guangzhou Optics and Optoelectronics Manufacturers Association, Photonics Industry Development Association (PIDA), The German Industry Association for Optical, Medical and Mechatronics Technologies (SPECTARIS) and Laserzentrum Hannover. For more information, visit: www.world-of-photonics.net/en/laser-china/start