Planning your OFC 2027 PR program? This practical guide brings together the key actions, deadlines and opportunities to help you promote your company, share your news and connect with media and analysts before and during the conference.
- The Fastest Way to Stay in the Loop
- Start Here: 5 Actions Every Exhibitor Should Take
- On-Site Quick Reference
- OFC Media Relations
- OFC 2027 Exhibitor PR Checklist
- Stay Current Through the Exhibitor PR Newsletter
- Free PR Opportunities
- Before + During the Conference
- On-Site Publicity Events
- On-Site Media Resources
- Join the OFC Conversation
- Smaller or First-Time Exhibitor?
- Quick Links
The Fastest Way to Stay in the Loop
Register your company’s PR or marketing contact with the OFC PR team. Registered contacts receive deadline reminders, media opportunities, the exhibitor PR newsletter and access to the pre-registered media and analyst list.
Start Here: 5 Actions Every Exhibitor Should Take
| What to Do | When | Why It Matters | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Register your PR contact | Now/Ongoing | Receive PR updates, deadlines, media opportunities and the media/analyst list. |
| 2 | Submit your OFC news releases | Ongoing | Publish show-related news in the OFC Online News & Media Center. 500 words max; 100-character headline max. |
| 3 | Plan your OFC First News submission | Deadline: 19 February 2027 | Give media and analysts an advance look at products, services, partnerships and company announcements planned for OFC. |
| 4 | Reserve interview/briefing rooms if needed | In advance | A complimentary room for meeting with media and analysts is available to exhibitors during Media Center operating hours on a first-come, first-served basis. |
| 5 | Use the pre-registered media and analyst list | Beginning Feb. 2027 | Identify relevant media and analysts and plan targeted outreach before the conference. |
On-Site Quick Reference
| Media Center | Meeting Room for Interviews |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles Convention Center South Hall, Rooms 409A & 409B Note: New location this year |
Available during Media Center hours Complimentary; reserve in advance |
| Media Center Hours |
|---|
| Sun., 7 March — 12:00–16:00 |
| Mon., 8 March — 07:30–18:00 |
| Tues., 9 March — 07:30–18:00 |
| Wed., 10 March — 07:30–18:00 |
| Thu., 11 March — 07:30–16:00 |
Need Help or Have Questions?
| For the fastest response, contact the shared OFC Media Relations inbox. All members of the OFC PR team have access to this mailbox. | media@ofcconference.org |
|---|---|
| Leah Wilkinson | +1 703.907.0010 Leah@Wilkinson.associates |
| Liz Smeds | +1 703.444.9494 Liz@Wilkinson.associates |
| Tara McLoughlin | tmcloughlin@optica.org |
OFC 2027 Exhibitor PR Checklist
Use this checklist to keep track of key actions, deadlines and opportunities for promoting your news and connecting with media and analysts before and during the conference.
Action: Review the OFC 2027 Exhibitor PR Checklist →
Stay Current Through the Exhibitor PR Newsletter
Registered exhibitor PR contacts receive periodic OFC PR newsletters with deadlines, media opportunities and other information leading up to the conference.
Free PR Opportunities - Get Your News in Front of Media
Post Your OFC News Release
Announcing a product, partnership, customer, research milestone or other show news? Submit it for publication in the OFC Online News & Media Center, where media, analysts and attendees can find exhibitor announcements.
- Maximum release length: 500 words
- Maximum headline length: 100 characters
- Submit OFC-related news as it becomes available
Action: Submit an Exhibitor News Release →
Get Included in OFC First News
OFC First News is a pre-show guide to exhibitor announcements. It is distributed to media and analysts in advance of the conference to help support early coverage and briefing planning.
Best for: New products, services, partnerships and company announcements introduced or highlighted at OFC.
2027 submission deadline: 19 February 2027.
Action: Submit to OFC First News →
Reach Pre-Registered Media and Analysts
The pre-registered media and analyst list is available to exhibiting companies and their PR agencies beginning in February 2027. It includes contact information for editors, reporters and analysts from trade, business, financial and industry research organizations.
The list is first made available several weeks before OFC and is updated frequently. Your company’s PR or marketing contact must be registered to receive it.
Action: Register Your PR Contact →
Who Attends & Covers OFC? A Sample of Media and Analysts
The organizations below are examples from recent OFC media and analyst participation. This is a sample, not a confirmed 2027 attendee list; registered exhibitor PR contacts will receive the current pre-registered list beginning in February 2027.
| Media Outlets | Analyst & Research Firms |
|---|---|
| Bloomberg News | 650 Group |
| Converge! Digest | ACG Research |
| Lightwave | Cignal AI |
| Light Reading | Dell’Oro Group |
| New Scientist Magazine | IDC |
| Optics & Photonics News | LightCounting |
| Reuters News | Omdia |
| Yole Group |
Before + During the Conference
Media Interview & Analyst Briefing Room
OFC exhibitors have access to a dedicated meeting room for one-on-one media interviews and analyst briefings during Media Center operating hours.
The room is available at no cost on a first-come, first-served basis and provides a convenient, private space to meet with reporters and industry analysts during the conference. Advance reservations are encouraged.
Action: Email media@ofcconference.org to reserve this room.
Have Something Happening at Your Booth?
Keep the OFC PR team informed about noteworthy booth activity that may be relevant to media and analysts. Examples include:
- Special product or technology demonstrations
- Executive or expert appearances
- Booth events, receptions or happy hours
- Prize drawings or other scheduled activities
Specific 2027 promotional opportunities and deadlines will be shared with registered exhibitor PR contacts as details are finalized.
Action: Email media@ofcconference.org with details on your activities.
On-Site Publicity Events
OFC Media and Analyst Panel
OFC hosts a dedicated on-site panel for credentialed media and industry analysts during the conference.
9 March 2027, time and location to be determined.
Attendance is restricted to media and analysts only. Keep the timing of this event in mind when scheduling your company’s media interviews, analyst briefings and other PR activities.
Action: Mark your calendar so you don’t overlap.
Breakfast Briefings
Exclusive opportunity for smaller OFC exhibitors
OFC’s Breakfast Briefings give smaller exhibitors an opportunity to connect directly with leading reporters and analysts who cover the optical communications and networking industry.
Through a series of focused 15-minute briefings, participating companies can introduce their organization, highlight key technologies or products and open the door to follow-up conversations, deeper briefings or future coverage.
10 March 2027, time and location to be determined.
Space is limited and advance reservations are required.
Action: Contact media@ofcconference.org to reserve a Breakfast Briefing slot.
On-Site Media Resources
| Media Center / Press Room | Meeting Room for Interviews |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles Convention Center South Hall, Rooms 409A & 409B Note: New location this year |
Available during Media Center hours Complimentary; reserve in advance |
Media Center Hours
| Date | Hours |
|---|---|
| Sunday, 7 March | 12:00–16:00 |
| Monday, 8 March | 07:30–18:00 |
| Tuesday, 9 March | 07:30–18:00 |
| Wednesday, 10 March | 07:30–18:00 |
| Thursday, 11 March | 07:30–16:00 |
The Media Center is reserved for credentialed media and analyst registrants.
Join the OFC Conversation
Use OFC’s social channels to share your news, demonstrations and on-site activity. Tag OFC when relevant so the conference team can see and potentially amplify your content.
Official hashtag: #OFC27
Smaller or First-Time Exhibitor?
OFC offers additional guidance on building a media kit, planning outreach and preparing for interviews.
Action: View Tools for Smaller and First-Time Exhibitors →