Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy
The Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy, referred to as Pittcon, is a non-profit educational organization based in Pennsylvania that organizes an annual Conference and Exposition on laboratory science. It is sponsored by the Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh and the Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh. The Conference has traditionally been the most attended annual conference on analytical chemistry and applied spectroscopy in the world. Pittcon presents several awards each year to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the various fields in analytical chemistry. History. Pittcon started as  a small technical conference and exposition that was first held in the William Penn Hotel in Pittsburgh in February, 1950. The first 18 conferences were held in Pittsburgh, but it has since grown into a national conference. The first move was to Cleveland in 1967 because of a threatened hotel strike in Pittsburgh. After being in Cleveland for a number of years, the conference then moved to Atlantic City for a period of time. At present, the conference rotates among New Orleans, Atlanta, Chicago, Orlando and Philadelphia. It is typically held during the first or second week of March and  runs from Sunday through Thursday. Pittcon 2021 was held from 14–16 March 2021, virtually. Affiliates. Affiliate organizations are the American Chemical Society, Division of Analytical Chemistry, Analytical Laboratory Managers Association, the Beijing Conference and Exhibition on Instrumental Analysis (BCEIA), the Science History Institute (formerly the Chemical Heritage Foundation), Japan Analytical Instruments Manufacturers Association (JAIMA), and the Society for Applied Spectroscopy. Awards. Pittcon has the following awards: Pittsburgh Spectroscopy Award (since 1957)