Event Manager // SPIE // Bellingham, Wash. www.spie.org
Describe your meeting.
SPIE is an international society advancing an interdisciplinary approach to the science and application of light. Optifab, organized jointly by SPIE and APOMA, is the largest optical manufacturing conference and exhibition in North America. We host four days of technical conferences, education courses, a job fair and three-day exhibit where attendees can meet with top companies and learn about the latest optical fabrication technologies.
Why did SPIE select Rochester?
For its concentration of optical glass manufacturing in the U.S, and as the home of our Optifab partners, APOMA.
Which hotels and venues did you utilize during the meeting?
We utilized the Hyatt, Hilton and Riverside for our staff and attendees, and hosted our conference and exhibition at the Riverside and Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Convention Center.
Did you encounter any challenges during your stay, and how were they resolved?
Flying into Rochester from the West Coast can be challenging, particularly if you get stuck in Chicago. Pro tip: Schedule your travel through the East Coast so you have lots of options.
How would you describe your overall experience in Rochester?
From contracting to final execution, it was a wonderful experience. Visit Rochester, our hotel contacts and everyone at the convention center are diligent, responsive and professional. They played a huge role in the success of our show. One challenge we consistently face is the perception of a lack of dining options for our guests. Visit Rochester made great efforts to assist with alternative ideas, including arranging for local food trucks to serve on our busiest show days and providing custom walking maps that highlighted fantastic restaurants such as Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, Genesee Brew House and Scotland Yard.
It is wonderful to see the civic-private investment in the downtown core, including the newly renovated Hyatt, the Riverside—with future renovation plans—and new Hilton Garden Inn, which retains elements from the building’s history as the National Clothing Company.
Would you return?
Absolutely! Rochester has hosted Optifab biannually since 2003, and we are contracted again for 2019. We are excited about returning and experiencing Rochester’s ongoing changes and advances.