Pittcon Returns to Pittsburgh for the First Time in 60 Years

Pittcon will be returning to Pittsburgh for its 2027 conference, the event organizers announced on March 26. The event will take place April 24–28, 2027 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center (DLCC).

Pittsburgh, PA - April 3, 2021: exterior of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center on the Allegheny River on Fort Duquesne Boulevard in the downtown Pittsburgh | Image Credit: © eurobanks - stock.adobe.com

Pittcon is an international conference and exposition on laboratory science, showcasing the latest advancements in analytical research and scientific instrumentation (1). Its mission is to advance and enrich science by connecting scientists worldwide, facilitating the exchange of research and ideas, showcasing the latest in laboratory innovation, and funding science education and outreach at all levels.

The premiere Pittcon conference and exposition was held at the William Penn Hotel, which is two city blocks away from the DLCC, in 1950, more than 75 years ago. The conference was slated to return to San Diego, California in 2027, after a successful 2024 event, but instead decided to return to its home city of Pittsburgh for both its 2027 and 2030 events, the organizers said in a press release.

“When the possibility to hold Pittcon 2027 in Pittsburgh suddenly arose, the decision to come back to Pittsburgh was an easy choice,” said Brian Strohmeier, president of Pittcon 2027. “Returning to Pittsburgh honors the Pittsburgh scientific community that created Pittcon and has worked diligently over the past 75-plus years to make Pittcon one of the premier conferences and exhibitions in the world of Analytical Chemistry, Applied Spectroscopy, and Laboratory Science.”

Andrew Ortale, executive vice president, Business Events & Destination Experience at VisitPITTSBURGH, was excited to have Pittcon return to Pittsburgh in 2027.

“2027 will mark 60 years since Pittcon last called Pittsburgh home, and we are thrilled to see this world-renowned conference return to its roots,” Ortale said. “Our city’s legacy in scientific innovation—paired with our dynamic research community, modern convention infrastructure, and collaborative spirit—makes Pittsburgh the perfect destination for Pittcon’s future.”

Pittcon 2026 is set to be held from March 7–11, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas, at the Henry B. González Convention Center (2). The conference opens with the Wallace H. Coulter Keynote Lecture. The 2026 lecture will feature Frances H. Arnold, a Nobel Laureate and professor at the California Institute of Technology. Arnold was the first American woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, mainly for her research into designing new enzymes using directed evolution (3). Registration for next year’s conference will open in September 2025.

The editors of LCGC attended the 2025 Pittcon conference earlier this month in Boston, Massachusetts. Each year, LCGC presents the Lifetime Achievement in Chromatography award and Emerging Leader in Chromatography award at the event. Read our articles on the 2025 LCGC award winners here (4,5) and check out our Pittcon 2025 coverage here. To learn more about the LCGC awards and nominate a colleague, click here.

References

(1) About Pittcon. Pittcon 2025. https://pittcon.org/about-us/ (accessed 2025-3-26)

(2) Conference Information. Pittcon 2025. https://pittcon.org/conference/ (accessed 2025-3-26)

(3) Frances H. Arnold: Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2018. The Nobel Prize 2018. https://www.nobelprize.org/womenwhochangedscience/stories/frances-arnold (accessed 2025-3-26)

(4) Acevedo, A. LCGC Award Winners Share Advice for the Next Generation. LCGC International 2025. https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/lcgc-award-winners-share-advice-for-the-next-generation (accessed 2025-3-26)

(5) Hroncich, C. Shimadzu Debuts Multiple New Analytical Products at Pittcon 2025. LCGC International 2025. https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/shimadzu-debuts-multiple-new-analytical-products-at-pittcon-2025 (accessed 2025-3-26)