What is the Optical Imaging Association? It is a national trade association that is part of the SAMA Group of Associations. SAMA, established in 1918, comprises OPIA plus two additional groups: the Laboratory Products Association (LPA) and the Geomatics Industry Association of America (GIA). Combined, the associations represent more than 125 member companies. Who does the Optical Imaging Association represent? The OPIA originally represented companies manufacturing and distributing microscopes in the U.S. Over the years advances in technology and a changing market have shifted the customer from a component to a systems oriented buyer. The OPIA seized this opportunity to expand its scope. It changed its name from the Opto-Precision Instruments Association to the Optical Imaging Association and updated its purpose. Its new charter is to represent companies that manufacture or distribute microscopes and/or products, components and peripherals for microscopy and the microscopy imaging market. Categories include: microscopes electronic imaging/video devices confocal imaging and laser scanning systems micromanipulators software for microscopy imaging other material such as illuminators, filters, adapters, etc. To achieve this, it has established three new sections: Electronic Imaging Detector Manufacturers Imaging and Automation Manufacturers Micromanipulator Manufacturers How can you benefit from joining the Optical Group? The unique value of an industry group like OPIA is that it is a legal forum to accomplish things as a group that cannot be done on an individual company basis. Examples are: Sales Statistics The OPIA gathers industry data and produces three such reports:   U.S. microscope sales international microscope sales electronic imaging detector sales The OPIA is committed to continuing its leadership role and expanding its representation throughout the marketplace. It will continue to recruit new members and create sections to fill the members' needs. Education The association is taking an active role in industry education.    OPIA was the major sponsor of the 2001 Microscopy & Microanalysis Pre-Meeting Congress on "Imaging Life: From Cells to Whole Animals". In the past few years the OPIA has published in American Laboratory magazine and published a 40 page Glossary of Video Microscopy Terms. More recently the OPIA has become the sponsor of a series of articles on "Concepts in Imaging and Microscopy" that are published in The Biological Bulletin of the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Standards The OPIA is a member of the Optics and Electro-Optics Standards Council (OEOSC). OEOSC is the U.S. Technical Advisory Committee (TAG) to the ISO Technical Committee 172, "Optics and Optical Instruments," and is accredited by ANSI to manage the U.S. TAG. OPIA's participation in OEOSC gives all of the member companies an official voice in ANSI and ISO standards making in the optical area. Awards The member companies of OPIA sponsor an annual Young Investigators Award. The award is given to a young researcher who is working on innovative techniques or applications related to microscopy imaging or video microscopy. The award is presented at the Microscopy Society of America annual meeting. Representation Another benefit that an association has is the ability to represent the group before Federal and state governments and their agencies. OPIA has a history of representing its members when government agencies have developed policies that have an adverse impact on the group.