The annual Montreal Photonics Networking (MPN) event is a gathering designed to bring together student researchers, industry professionals, academics, and stakeholders in the photonics community. With a mission to foster collaboration, share research advancements, and support professional development, MPN has become a cornerstone event for the local photonics ecosystem in the region. Open to all and free of charge, the event creates an informal space for students to discuss their research while connecting with industry professionals, forming a bridge between academia and the next generation of photonics experts.
This past year’s edition took place for the first time at Polytechnique Montreal, attracting 111 participants, featuring 27 poster presentations, and 26 jury members. The plenary session, led by Helena van Mierlo of the Canadian Space Agency, showcased her journey over eight years to turn a novel space-based wildfire monitoring service into reality.
A standout feature of the event is the poster and pitch presentations, which encourage students to showcase their research, compete for awards, and gain recognition. Participants represented eight local universities, and judges ranged from early-career professionals to senior experts, creating a rich environment for engagement and mentorship.
Collaboration with the local photonics community is essential to MPN’s success. Principal partners COPL and Optonique, along with professional organizations including IEEE Montreal, the IEEE Photonics Society, Optica, and SPIE, provide strategic support and visibility. Financial sponsors in 2024 included ETS, STARACOM, INTRIQ, PRIMA, Fonex, PreFab, Numana, Ansys, Femtum, Optech, Aeponyx, and Excelitas Technologies, helping cover essential event costs such as catering, photography, and awards.
MPN also honors those who have contributed to the community and are no longer with us. The first poster session was dedicated to Dr. Andrea Rovere, and one of the poster prizes commemorated Prof. Véronique François.
The event continues to be a source of inspiration and connection for many participants:
- Jose Garcia Echeverria, winner of the 2024 Prof. Véronique François Award:
“MPN24 has been an exceptional opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals, exchange ideas, and engage with a knowledgeable audience. Presenting my poster was a valuable experience, and I look forward to participating in MPN25.” - Philippe Gagnon, 2024 Best Pitch Award winner:
“Winning the Best Pitch Award was truly an honor and helped me improve my communication skills. I had the chance to connect with fellow scientists and learn about their projects—what a wonderful experience!” - Rejeena Sebastian, incoming 2025 committee member:
“The open, collaborative atmosphere allowed me to engage in meaningful discussions and connect with industry professionals interested in my device. The MPN team created a welcoming and stimulating environment.”
Best Practices & Lessons Learned
Over its history, MPN has refined its approach to maximize engagement and impact:
- Committee Stability: High retention with 2–3 year tenures ensures continuity, while 20–30% turnover infuses fresh ideas.
- Participant-Centric Design: Event duration increased from a half-day to a full day to provide more time for networking and poster sessions.
- Interactive Formats: From online events (2020–2021) to in-person (2022–2024), MPN emphasizes participatory experiences like structured “speed” networking and free discussion, reducing passive plenaries.
Upcoming MPN: Don’t Miss It!
The 9th Montreal Photonics Networking Event will take place on Friday, November 21, 2025. With registration now open here, the committee looks forward to welcoming students, professionals, and researchers to continue building connections, sharing innovations, and supporting the growth of Quebec’s photonics community.
