LabAutomation2010 Conference Hosts More Than 4,000 Participants

The Association for Laboratory Automation (ALA) conference and exhibition hosted 4,113 participants from around the world with 400 booths displaying technologies from nearly 250 companies. There were 40 first-time exhibitors and more than 20 new product launches. The conference took place at the Palm Springs Convention Center, Palm Springs (CA, USA) from January 23-27, 2010.

During the five-day event, educational highlights included the 100 podium presentations from across the field of laboratory automation, 18 short courses, 200 poster presentations, 18 industry-sponsored workshops, and 4 special sessions and market place briefings. Special sessions focused on topical subjects such as India's emerging pharmaceutical market, equipment-purchasing trends in North America, and European standardization efforts regarding laboratory automation.

LabAutomation2010 plenary speakers included Prof. R. Graham Cooks of Purdue University (West Lafayette, IN, USA); Prof. Hod Lipson of Cornell University (Ithaca, NY, USA); Kei Koizumi M.A., of the White House Office of Science and Technology (OSTP; Washington DC, USA), and Bruce Sterling, American science fiction novelist.

Now in its fourth year, Innovation AveNEW welcomed eight start-up companies to the LabAutomation2010 exhibition. Innovation AveNEW's mission is to offer start-up, entrepreneurial companies, operating within the laboratory automation and technology field, a venue for positive, collaborative interaction, and exposure for their product and/or service concept.

ALA is a multi-disciplinary, nonprofit scientific association spanning diverse industries and technology sectors. "The feedback on LabAutomation2010 has been overwhelmingly positive and is extremely gratifying to ALA and to the members of the LabAutomation2010 Scientific Committee," said Robyn Rourick, LabAutomation2010 Conference Chair. "This year's special sessions and market place briefings as well as the outstanding plenary series added to an already strong educational program."

This 14th Edition of the ALA conference and exhibition is an early indicator that global science and technology markets are steadily on the rise.

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Purdue University
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White House Office of Science and Technology