Your First CLEO Starts Here
Find funding, plan international travel, reserve housing and follow a simple pathway to make the most of your first CLEO experience.
Find Funding for Your CLEO Experience
Financial support may be available to help eligible students and early-career researchers offset registration, transportation and lodging expenses.
CLEO Travel Grants
CLEO co-sponsors offer opportunities that support eligible student participation.
- APS-DLS: Application dates are TBA for 2027.
- Optica Incubic/Milton Chang: Applicants must opt in during the CLEO paper-submission process.
- Additional opportunities will be added as they become available.
Look Beyond CLEO
Ask about travel support available through your institution and professional network.
- Your university, department or research laboratory
- Your academic advisor or principal investigator
- Student government or graduate student associations
- Professional societies, local chapters or employer programs
Start Your Visa Planning Early
International attendees are an important part of the CLEO community. If you need permission to enter the United States, begin preparing as early as possible.
Your Visa Planning Checklist
- Review current U.S. entry and visa requirements for your country.
- Check estimated visa appointment wait times.
- Gather the required travel and identification documents.
- Register for CLEO when registration becomes available.
- Request a conference invitation letter using the official CLEO process.
- Schedule your visa appointment as early as possible.
Plan Your Stay in Long Beach
CLEO will offer official hotel options at varying price points within walking distance of the Long Beach Convention Center.
Official CLEO Housing
The official CLEO 2027 hotel block, offered in partnership with MCI USA, is expected to open in early 2027.
- Convenient access to conference activities
- Conference-negotiated rates
- Hotels within walking distance
- Official booking assistance
- Clearly stated reservation and cancellation policies
Your First-Timer Pathway
Use these six steps to move confidently from planning your submission to participating onsite.
Start Exploring
- Join the CLEO mailing list.
- Review the technical topic categories.
- Talk with your advisor or supervisor.
- Begin researching travel funding.
Submit Your Work
- Review paper-preparation requirements.
- Select the best topic category.
- Check funding tied to submission.
- Submit by the published deadline.
Build Your Travel Plan
- Apply for available travel grants.
- Confirm institutional funding.
- Begin the visa process if needed.
- Create a preliminary travel budget.
Register and Reserve Housing
- Choose the appropriate registration category.
- Book through the official housing provider.
- Request an invitation letter if needed.
- Confirm transportation to Long Beach.
Prepare for the Conference
- Review the technical program.
- Identify priority sessions and events.
- Prepare a short professional introduction.
- Set two or three conference goals.
Make the Most of CLEO
- Attend sessions beyond your specialty.
- Introduce yourself to speakers and attendees.
- Explore technologies and careers in the exhibition.
- Exchange contact information and follow up.
Why Attend CLEO?
CLEO connects the global community advancing laser science, optics, photonics and electro-optic technologies.
