Pittcon 2006 releases final registration statistics

• A strong technical program and logistical improvements highlight the premier annual analytical instrumentation scientific conference and exhibition.

PITTSBURGH, April 6, 2006 -- The Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy (Pittcon) announced the final registration statistics for Pittcon 2006, held March 12-17 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. The 5-day Conference and Exposition was attended by 19,872 Conferees and Exhibitors representing over 85 countries. A complete breakdown of attendee statistics is available at the organization's website.

The Pittcon 2006 Technical Program, which began on Sunday afternoon for the first time, was highlighted by the presentation of the Pittcon Heritage Award to Dr. Masao Horiba, of Horiba Ltd. The prestigious award recognizes outstanding individuals whose entrepreneurial careers have shaped the instrumentation community. The Technical Program featured over 2,300 presentations, including ten additional awards to outstanding scientists, invited symposia, contributed presentations, poster sessions, short courses, and workshops. Dr. Roger Tsien also delivered a plenary lecture entitled, Watching Biochemistry Inside Living Cells and Organisms.

The annual Pittcon Science Week program, which features educational programs and workshops for local science teachers, as well as lectures and demonstrations for students and parents, awarded several grants to support scientific education at the middle school, high school, and university level in the Orlando area. Grant recipients included The Volusia County, FL School District and the Orlando Science Center.

Over 1,096 Exhibitors showcased their new laboratory instrumentation and products in booths and seminar rooms across 800,000 sq. ft. on the Exhibition floor. In addition to Exhibitor presentations and product demonstrations, Conference attendees were treated to a Sunday evening networking event, two mixers on the Exposition floor on Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, and wireless Internet access throughout the convention hall.

"We made a number of changes to Pittcon 2006 geared toward increasing the value of attending Pittcon for both Conferees and Exhibitors and I am very pleased with the results," remarked Pittcon 2006 President Kevin McKaveney. "The newly formed Exhibitor Advisory Council for Marketing was instrumental in helping us market the Conference and make it a better educational and informative experience for all."

Beth Kirol, Pittcon 2007 president, added: "We plan to continue to build upon the changes and momentum we achieved in 2006 and look forward to hosting another successful Conference in Chicago, Feb. 25-March 1, 2007, and New Orleans in 2008."

Pittcon is the largest educational Conference on laboratory science and the premier meeting place for scientists and vendors of instrumentation and laboratory supplies worldwide. Presented annually by the Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh and the Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh, the Conference features cutting-edge technical programs; informative short courses, an extensive exposition of laboratory equipment; and more, all designed for those in the laboratory sciences. Proceeds from the Conference provide funds for science education activities from kindergarten through college levels and beyond. Pittcon and its co-sponsors contribute over one million dollars each year to elementary, secondary schools and colleges in the form of science equipment; educational opportunities and scholarships for students. Teachers and professors are recognized with awards/grants to enhance education and promote research. Pittcon also offers support to public science centers, libraries and museums. www.pittcon.org.

Also see:
-- "Instrument Business Outlook: Pittcon stabilization efforts pay off"
-- "Pittcon 2006 regroups in Orlando"

###