Industry News: New Orleans Will Host World’s Largest Annual Conference and Expo on Laboratory Science

Pittcon, the world’s largest annual conference and exposition on laboratory science, will draw 18,000 attendees from 90 countries to the Ernest N. Morial Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, from March 8-12, 2015. The event, in its 66th year, attracts attendees from industry, academia and government organizations, including lab managers, scientists, chemists, researchers and professors. Presenters and delegates represent an equally broad number of scientific disciplines including agriculture, biomedical, biotechnology, bioterrorism, drug discovery, energy/fuel, environmental, food science, forensics, lab management, life science, nanotechnology, polymers/plastics, regulations, and water/wastewater. Highlighting another important field of focus for Pittcon, spectroscopy and light science, Pittcon recently announced its participation in the International Year of Light and Light-Based Technologies, coordinated by the European Physical Society, as an associate sponsor. In order to support this effort, Pittcon will offer specialty programs focusing on light science throughout the conference.

Proceeds from Pittcon, a non-profit, largely volunteer-run conference, fund science education and outreach at all levels, kindergarten through adult. Pittcon, together with its co-sponsoring technical societies The Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh and The Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh, donates more than $1 million a year to provide financial and administrative support for various science outreach activities, including science equipment grants, research grants, scholarships and internships for students, awards to teachers and professors, and grants to public science
center, libraries and museums.

During the conference, Pittcon hosts Science Week, a program of free teacher and student workshops, a demonstration lecture for high school students, and a grant program. More than 500 New Orleans-area teachers are expected to attend, receiving not only continuing education but also supplies and materials so that they can implement the demonstrated activities in their own classrooms. Participating teachers can also apply for grants to purchase science equipment for their schools. Hundreds of elementary to middle school students will rotate among six hands-on workshops on astronomy, chromatography, gases, acid/base reactions, electrochemistry, and light and color, and high school students will experience an interactive demonstration lecture.

The New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau estimates the conference will generate $21 million in economic impact for the region. Grants made in conjunction with Science Week also support the community. When the conference last met in New Orleans in 2008, Pittcon made a 2007 contribution of $100,000 for science equipment and supplies for six high schools affected by Hurricane Katrina, and an additional $120,000 in equipment in 2008 through grants to teachers who attended Science Week activities. Through Science Week and its grant-making programs, Pittcon is expected to donate tens of thousands of dollars in 2015 to New Orleans-area science programs
and schools.

We are delighted to return to New Orleans for Pittcon 2015, said Charlie Holifield, Pittcon 2015 President. In addition to presenting our technical programs, expo and Science Week, the International Year of Light gives Pittcon a unique opportunity to demonstrate the importance of light science and spectroscopy across multiple scientific disciplines. We are looking forward to sharing this research and development in New Orleans.”

Throughout the five-day conference, attendees can experience a four-day expo featuring more than 900 exhibitors from 30 countries, 2,000 technical sessions focused on the latest research and development in a variety of fields, and 100 short courses for professional development. Additionally, after a successful partnership the past two years, the Food Labs Conference, organized by Innovative Publishing and Food Safety Tech, will again return.

Conferee registration opens September 2014. For updates, click the company website link.