San Diego International
Regional gateway — confirm routes on the organiser site.
to venue
by car
Event overview
Overview
The 53rd International Conference on Metallurgical Coatings and Thin Films (ICMCTF 2027) will be held from April 25-30, 2027, at the Town & Country Resort in San Diego, California, USA.
The conference will highlight the essential role of coatings, thin films, and engineered surfaces in enabling emerging technologies and supporting sustainable development.
TL;DR
- 1Event dates: April 25-30, 2027.
- 2Location: Town & Country Resort, San Diego, California.
- 3Over 100 high-profile invited speakers.
- 425+ sessions covering various topics in surface engineering.
- 5Networking events and an industrial exhibition.
Why visit
Attendees will gain insights from leading experts, participate in discussions on cutting-edge research, and network with professionals from academia and industry, enhancing their knowledge and collaboration opportunities.
Why exhibit
Exhibitors will have the chance to showcase their latest technologies and products, connect with potential clients, and gain visibility in the surface engineering community.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Who this event is for
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Scientists and researchers in materials science.
Engineers specializing in surface engineering.
Industry professionals from coatings and thin film sectors.
Academics and students in related fields.
Government representatives involved in technology development.
Suppliers of equipment and materials for thin film deposition.
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Manufacturers of thin film deposition equipment.
Suppliers of materials for coatings.
Research institutions focused on surface engineering.
Companies providing analytical and characterization services.
Consultants in surface engineering applications.
Startups innovating in thin film technologies.
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Thin film deposition technologies and equipment.
Coating materials for various applications.
Surface characterization tools and techniques.
Advanced materials for energy systems.
Biocompatible coatings for medical devices.
Sustainable surface solutions for industrial applications.
Location & Facilities
Venue
Town & Country Resort
500 Hotel Circle North, San Diego, CA 92108, USA
Parking: Parking is available at the venue.
Attend
Entry & tickets
Regular-Hotel or Local
Discounted rate for attendees staying at the conference hotel.
$895.00Regular-No Hotel
Standard registration fee.
$1,350.00Student-Hotel or Local
Discounted rate for students.
$325.00Student-No Hotel
Standard student registration fee.
$450.00
Ticket info
Ticket notes
Early rates cited for Regular-Hotel or Local $895, Regular-No Hotel $1,350, Student-Hotel or Local $325, Student-No Hotel $450. The conference home page lists the early registration and hotel deadline as 1 March 2027.
Registration deadline
2027-03-01
Who runs the show
Organisers
AVS
How the last edition performed
Previous edition
Last edition
2026
Completed
This edition
2027
Next edition
Not announced yet
Intelligence
Market context
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
San Diego, California, USA
Why it matters
ICMCTF is a premier international conference for metallurgical coatings and thin films, bringing together researchers and industry to discuss the latest advances in surface engineering, thin film deposition, and characterization.
Plan your trip
Travel & logistics
Local currency · USD
Arrival airports
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Local transport
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
Ride Share
Estimated cost$40
Best forAirport to Venue
Plan your trip
Visa & entry documents
Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.
Visa required
ATA Carnet: check with organiser
| Type | Who needs it | Fee | Processing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B-1/B-2 | All international attendees | — | 3-6 months |
Sweden honors the ATA carnet, an international customs document that simplifies customs procedures for business and professional visitors bringing commercial samples, advertising materials, film, or professional equipment into the country for a short period.
Official visa pagePractical guides
Visitor & Exhibitor Essentials
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Flights
Destination: SAN
Book flights to SAN when possible for the shortest transfer to the venue; compare GOT only if fares are materially lower.
Visa
Visa required for international attendees.
Estimated cost: Varies by visa type and nationality (check official site).
Processing: 3-6 months
A business or conference visit visa is a Schengen entry visa permitting a stay of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Apply via Sweden Abroad or the VFS Global Sweden application centre with a business and conference visa checklist.
OfficialTransport
Get to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Primary gateways: San Diego International (SAN): Regional gateway — confirm routes on the organiser site.. Allow road time to Town & Country Resort; confirm parking via the organiser.
Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near Town & Country Resort: Mission Valley.
Ride-hail: Available from the airport.
Public transit: MTS buses and the Green Line trolley serve the Hotel Circle area; the Green Line stops at Fashion Valley Transit Center, about 1 mile from the venue. Rideshare or taxi recommended for direct access.
Parking: Available at the venue.
Weather
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: April
Temperature: 60-75°F
Seasonality: Low chance of rain.
Packing: Light layers recommended.
Plan your trip
Planning
1
Confirm passport validity and check US visa requirements for ICMCTF 2027 (April 25-30, San Diego) — International attendees generally need a US B-1/B-2 visitor visa; apply at the nearest US embassy or consulate as early as possible.
2
Book flights to San Diego International Airport (SAN), about 5 miles from the Town & Country Resort — SAN is the closest airport to the Mission Valley venue.
3
Reserve hotel in Mission Valley near the Town & Country Resort — Staying at the conference property supports the reduced student registration rate.
4
Complete online conference registration and pay the appropriate fee — Student rate is $325 when staying at the conference hotel; register via the official ICMCTF site.
5
Review the technical programme and shortlist sessions to attend — Over 25 sessions cover surface engineering, advanced energy systems and functional surfaces.
6
Plan travel to San Diego and arrange airport-to-hotel ground transport — Ride share from SAN to the venue area is roughly $40.
7
Prepare your abstract or presentation materials if you are presenting — Abstract submission deadline is October 30, 2026.
8
Arrange travel insurance and carry printed confirmation documents — Keep registration, hotel and travel confirmations with your passport.
9
Download the conference programme and venue layout for planning — Check the official site for schedule and Town & Country Resort floor information.
10
Pre-schedule meetings with exhibitors and fellow delegates — Coordinate around your selected session times.
11
Pack light layers and business casual attire for indoor sessions — April in San Diego is mild, roughly 60-75F, with a low chance of rain.
12
Arrive in San Diego, check in and collect your badge before Day 1 sessions — Allow time for venue check-in and badge collection at the Town & Country Resort.
Side trips
2Balboa Park
La Jolla
Decision
Visit, exhibit, or skip?
Should you go?
Pick the closest answer for each. Your recommendation updates live.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
What is your primary role?
Decision matrix
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
You have papers to present, need to stay current with research, or want to network with peers.
Best for
Researchers, academics, and industry R&D professionals
Timeline
6-12 months in advance for registration and travel
Risks
High travel costs
Time away from work
exhibit
You have products or services to showcase to a targeted audience of researchers and industry professionals.
Best for
Equipment manufacturers, service providers, and material suppliers
Timeline
12 months in advance for booth booking and logistics
Risks
High exhibiting costs
Logistical challenges
skip
The conference content is not relevant to your work, or you cannot justify the cost and time.
Best for
Those not in the field or with budget/travel constraints
Timeline
Not applicable
Risks
Missed networking opportunities
Missed latest research
Book with
Partners
Recommended providers
FAQs & glossary
Answers
Frequently asked
What is the abstract submission deadline?
The abstract submission deadline is October 30, 2026.
Where will the conference be held?
The conference will be held at the Town & Country Resort in San Diego, California.
How many sessions will there be?
There will be over 25 sessions covering various topics in surface engineering.
What is the registration fee for students?
The registration fee for students is $325 if they stay at the conference hotel.
What are the key focus areas of the conference?
Key focus areas include advanced energy systems, sustainable solutions, and functional surfaces for healthcare.
Glossary
- Thin Film
- A thin layer of material ranging from fractions of a nanometer to several micrometers in thickness.
- Surface Engineering
- The modification of the surface of a material to achieve desired properties.
- PVD
- Physical Vapor Deposition, a vacuum coating process used to produce thin films.
- ALD
- Atomic Layer Deposition, a technique used to deposit thin films one atomic layer at a time.
- CVD
- Chemical Vapor Deposition, a process used to produce thin films by chemical reactions in vapor phase.
- Biocompatible Coatings
- Coatings that are compatible with living tissue and do not provoke an immune response.
- Nanostructured Materials
- Materials with structures at the nanoscale, often exhibiting unique properties.
- Tribology
- The study of friction, wear, and lubrication between surfaces in relative motion.
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Trust footer
Sources
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References
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Publishers
0
Date checked
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AVS
- ICMCTF 2027 Official WebsiteLang: ENevent_website
- AVS TwitterLang: ENevent_social
Digital business cards for the show floor
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.