As the host of a major event steeped in tradition, you want to offer all your guests something special.

It is both a privilege and an honor to serve as Congress General Chair for the 45th ICALEO conference—a gathering yet always at the forefront of progress. Alongside the exceptional LIA team, I am dedicated to making this year’s event not just memorable, but transformative: a place where ideas converge, boundaries are pushed, and the future of laser technology is written.

This year, we meet for the first time in Denver, Colorado. Throughout the week, we will look closely at the innovations shaping our field today. These include laser beam interaction with materials, new beam sources, advanced methods of beam shaping, process control, and of course the increasing use of AI to understand and improve complex processes.

These developments are not only interesting from a scientific point of view. They are influencing real progress in industry, laboratories, and research institutes around the world. This is something I value very much about our community. When we share our knowledge openly and discuss our ideas honestly, we make real steps forward together.

I would like to extend a warm invitation to everyone joining us, especially those attending for the first time and the many students who bring fresh ideas and energy. ICALEO has always been a place where new perspectives are welcome. Many people have found mentors, collaborators, or new directions in their work here. I encourage you to participate fully, to ask questions, and to engage with the people around you. You will meet colleagues who are genuinely interested in your ideas.

The entire team, the track chairs, the advisory board, the wonderful staff at LIA, and I promise you that we will put all our energy and experience into organizing an ICALEO that you won't want to miss. We firmly believe that you will leave Denver with new knowledge, new contacts, and new energy for the future.

We look forward to seeing you there!