Now is the time to nominate your pick for Industry Beacon. Choose someone you know — for example, a colleague, mentor, manager or student — whose contributions to the field of optics and photonics merit recognition. Download our nomination form and tell us in 250 words or less why! Deadline for nominations is Monday, July 3. Industry Beacons are awarded to outstanding photonics professionals who fall into one or more of these five categories: Educator — someone who has inspired students at the high school through post-graduate levels to go on to make their mark in the photonics industry. 2016 Industry Beacon award winners in the Educator category. Courtesy of Photonics Media. Researcher — someone who has shown vision and perseverance that led to a significant advance in optics or photonics. 2016 Industry Beacon award winners in the Research/Leadership category. Courtesy of Photonics Media. Industry Advocate — Someone who has championed a new technology, application or service with passion, advancing photonics awareness. Entrepreneur — Someone who has cultivated an emerging technology that promises to significantly impact the industry. 2016 Industry Beacon award winners in the Entrepreneurs category. Leader — C-level individual who has led a photonics company or division that has had an impact on the industry. Please submit a separate entry for each individual you wish to nominate. We’ll share the names of the winners and their unique stories in the September issue of Photonics Spectra. Industry Beacon awards not only honor deserving individuals — they help draw attention to important technologies and trends in the optics industry. We hope you'll take some time this week to tell us about the people you know who are advancing the optics and photonics industry through their hard work and dedication. Download the nomination form here: www.photonics.com/beacons