June 11, 2013

A photonics and vacuum technology event is taking place on Monday 16 September 2013 at the Sussex Exchange conference centre in Hastings, East Sussex, England.

Hastings has become established over the last 50 years as a centre of excellence for photonics and vacuum technologies. The conference, entitled ‘Tec66’, will bring together organisations in these sectors from the local area and further afield. It aims to raise awareness of these thriving technology segments and will feature a number of expert workshops.

BBC TV science presenter Maggie Philbin and space scientist DrMaggie Aderin-Pocock MBE will host sessions for the delegates. They will also run sessions for students at Hastings’ Sussex Coast College, aiming to inspire young people to pursue careers in science and engineering.

Maggie Philbin is well-known as a TV science presenter, having hosted the BBC’s Bang Goes the Theory, Inside Out and Tomorrow's World. Dr Aderin-Pocock, Research Fellow at University College London, is, amongst other projects, working on the James Webb Space Telescope - the replacement for Hubble.

The Tec66 event is being organised by Hastings’ ‘vacuum business cluster,’ established by a group of local technology companies to build on the area’s heritage in innovation - stemming from the day John Logie Baird produced the world's first TV image in the town.

It will be officially opened by local business man and High Sheriff of East Sussex, Graham Peters, and chaired by Brighton-based technology champion Lord Bassam.

For delegates wishing to attend the event without exhibiting, the event is fully subsidised. To book a place, they should visit: http://www.innovationcentrehastings.com/events/ich/EXHIBITORS-TEC66---Vacuum-Technology-Conference-Exhibition/374/

Exhibiting will be technology firms VG Scienta, Ceramisis, ITL Vacuum Components, Hivac Engineering, MDC, Kurt J Lesker, Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum, Chell Instruments, Photek, Torr Scientific and UHV Design - plus the University of Surrey and Queen Mary, University of London.

There is a small number of spaces left for additional exhibitors, which can book a stand for £200 by visiting: http://www.innovationcentrehastings.com/events/ich/VISITORS-TEC66---Vacuum-Technology-Conference-Exhibition/373/