Gulf Coast Conference Continues to Transform the Analytical World

The Gulf Coast Conference (GCC) is held in Galveston annually. For the past 50+ years, this gathering of international scientists has blazed a trail for analytical needs and innovations for the refining and petrochemical industries. Offering an innovative and focused technical program, GCC brings knowledge and experience to analytical scientists. 

Dating back to the 1950s, when a group of analytical experts met to discuss better ways to advance the science of chemical analysis, GCC has brought teaching and learning to the analytical community. These few scientists fostered an environment of action and invention that is still pertinent today.  

Since its infancy, GCC has gathered experts and novices together in one venue. Past presenters have included recognized speakers such as Jaap de Zeeuw, a pioneer, innovator and expert in column chromatography. GCC Presenter of the Year award in 1998, Jaap has presented his ground-breaking research on Porous Layer Open Tubular (PLOT) columns, written articles for the conference and offered training seminars. This setting also offers college students from across the world an opportunity to present their research and enhance their public speaking experience.

Previous keynote speakers have ranged from politicians to scientists. This year brings two exciting keynote speakers: Dr. John Lienhard of The Engines of Our Ingenuity fame and Dr. Milton Lee, renowned for his innovations in capillary separation techniques and mass spectrometry detection. To quote Dr. Lienhard, “Invention is a matter of catching the fleeting idea as it whips past you, and other people miss it.”  GCC embodies this concept.

GCC remains relevant to the need of the industry. In 2010 and 2011, after the Deepwater Horizon disaster, the conference focused a special symposium about Gulf Oil Spill and the intricacies of the analyses involved. Starting in 2012, GCC tackled another hot topic, the analytical needs associated with fracking. Whenever the next important analytical issue arises, GCC will be here to fill that need.

Bringing laboratory technicians, chemists, engineers, plant managers, young, and more senior individuals alike, GCC has a proven track record for innovation, education and forward-thinking. In 2019, GCC will showcase talks on spectroscopy, gas, oil, and petroleum applications, sample preparation, chromatography, QA/QC, LIMS, and many other technical-centric applications that benefit the analytical field, generating advances that have revolutionized the refining and petrochemical industries. The conference offers a wealth of career enriching opportunities, from job board to technical presentations, from networking with colleagues to enhanced training courses. 

GCC invites scientists to share their research, development and innovation in a forum of like-minded professionals. Thought leaders are encouraged to submit an abstract by August 31, 2019. With your help, in its 115th meeting, the conference continues to transform the analytical world.

Jean-Francois Borny is the analytical services manager for Lummus Technology, and the Chair of the Scientific Technical Committee for the Gulf Coast Conference. Direct questions about this article to jean-francois.borny@mcdermott.com