ANAHEIM, Calif., Mar. 21, 2017 — The 2017 SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing (DCS) conference and exhibition will be held at the Anaheim Convention Center in California. This global event focuses on sensing, imaging and photonics technologies for applications in defense, security, health care and the environment. But there is much more to this venue. The Anaheim Convention Center first opened in 1967 as a convention hall and meeting space. Since then, it has grown tremendously with a total of six expansions and several cosmetic renovations. A seventh expansion began in 2015. The center has hosted the Anime Expo and BlizzCon, as well as the wrestling competition in the 1984 Summer Olympics and the Big West Conference college basketball tournaments. Such events at the Anaheim Convention Center are just the tip of the city’s iceberg. Anaheim was incorporated in 1876 as the second city in Los Angeles County, and is now among the most populous cities in California. It sits along the Santa Ana River and nearby Santa Ana Mountains, and is also filled with excitement and fun. This city is home to the first and original Disneyland, which marks its 62nd year in 2017. This resort and park draws more than 18 million visitors annually with attractions like Mickey’s Toon Town, Critter Country, Frontierland, Fantasyland and New Orleans Square. Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and other Disney princesses live there, as do beloved characters including Mickey Mouse, Alice, Peter Pan and Donald Duck. A Star Wars Land is set to open in 2019, falling into Disneyland creator Walt Disney’s ultimate goal of flourishing the park. He once said that Disneyland “will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world.” More fun and thrills await at nearby Universal Studios Hollywood. The Minions — first introduced in the Despicable Me movies — come to life here, as do popular characters Shrek, Spongebob and Scooby Doo. Visitors can even step into Jurassic Park, and learn some magic in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The Los Angeles Angels Major League Baseball team and Angel Stadium call this city home; several golf courses and art museums reside here, as well. Guided tours from Anaheim through Los Angeles give visitors another taste of this popular region. Visits to movie and television studios show visitors the glitz, glamour and history of Hollywood. There are neighborhood tours of celebrity homes, and visits to Rodeo Drive, and the iconic “Hollywood” sign. For adventure seekers, sports lovers, movie buffs and the young at heart, Anaheim is an exciting city to explore. Join Photonics Media Senior Editor Justine Murphy next week for an in-depth look at SPIE’s DCS conference, hosted in this thrilling Southern California city. For more information about DCS, visit photonics.com and SPIE.org.