Society hires marketer to promote optics

The Optical Society of America has hired Beth Hampton as its new chief marketing officer.

Ms. Hampton's responsibilities will include coordinating the marketing and sale of the society's many programs that promote optics. This includes organizing and advertising trade shows and educational outreach programs.

"I think there's a lot less known about the field of optics, so hopefully I have the opportunity to make known what optics is all about," Ms. Hampton said.

Before joining the Optical Society of America, Ms. Hampton worked as vice president of membership marketing for the Cable and Telecommunications Association for Marketing. She also had experience working for the Personal Communications Industry Association, through which she earned a gold Marketing Award for Excellence and Innovation.

Elizabeth Rogan, executive director of the Optical Society of America, hired Ms. Hampton because of her experience and creativity.

"The need that I have and that she fills is having both an understanding of the daily operations and a very creative entrepreneurial side," Ms. Rogan said. "We need to start changing and growing, and she's got the right pull of talents to help us get there."

The Optical Society of America, founded in 1916, boasts 14,000 members. Although its core base is individual members, its corporate membership is growing. Each year, the association manages three large optics conferences, about a dozen topical meetings and several educational outreach programs.

Expanding and improving the society's educational efforts is one of Ms. Hampton's primary goals.

"[The goal] is to expand external awareness of what optics is, hopefully make an impact and continuously improve the programs and initiatives that have come before me," Ms. Hampton said.

Ms. Hampton moved to the Washington area in 1982. A Connecticut native, she lives in Falls Church with her husband and 4-month-old puppy, Whisky.