Pittcon returned to Orlando, Florida, on March 11 to 15, making it the conference’s fifth stop at this location in 10 years. As expected, attendance suffered compared with last year, when the conference was held in Atlanta, Georgia (see IBO 3/31/11). Total attendance declined 8.4% this year to 15,754. Full conferees accounted for 34% of total attendees; the same percentage as 2011. Full-conferee attendance fell 10.1%. Compared with 2010, the last time Pittcon was held in Orlando, total attendance declined 6.6% and attendance by full conferees declined 12.4%.

The number of exhibitors was down 3.2% this year to 948, and the number of booths fell 10.0% to 1,854. It was visibly evident that the exhibition floor had more open space. This year’s exhibit was notable for the absence of Agilent Technologies.

Despite the disappointing attendance, there were many new products (see page 3) and press conferences. Beckman Coulter Life Sciences held a press conference to announce its revitalization and the commitment to rebuilding the brand, following its purchase by Danaher last year (see IBO 2/15/11). Among the changes at the business since its purchase are new leadership, increased investment and strategic planning assistance from Danaher, as well as an overall “new attitude.” The business disclosed that 41% of its sales are from North America, 31% are from the Rest of World and 28% are from Europe.

Danaher’s AB SCIEX unit launched a new MS system (see page 1) and debuted its first UHPLC system (see page 3). The firm highlighted its investments in clinical MS and noted the channel synergies and automation capabilities that Beckman Coulter provides.

At its press conference, Thermo Fisher Scientific also noted expanded business opportunities. Following the acquisition of Dionex (see IBO 12/15/10), Thermo stated that it now values its total HPLC business at $750 million. The company also introduced new Dionex-branded systems (see page 9). Jakob Gudbrand, vice president and general manager of Chromatography at Thermo, told IBO that the integration of the companies is now complete. He noted the application expertise that Dionex has added. He also discussed the company’s new Unity Lab Services as a differentiator due to its ability to provide single-vendor solutions.

Waters introduced the UPC2 (see page 6), positioning it as a complementary solution to both LC and GC. The company also launched a new business for selling certified analytical standards and reagents. The business grew out of Waters’s ERA environmental standards subsidiary and has an initial offering of more than 200 products for separations. Waters stated that the business fills the need for a single source for traceable standards and premixed reagents.

Phenomenex announced that its sales grew 18% in 2011 and are expected to increase 20% this year. Among the factors fueling such growth, according to the company, is demand for its Kinetix 1.7 µm core shell columns due to increasing UHPLC usage. The company also discussed its new reseller and comarketing agreement with AB SCIEX, under which it sells AB SCIEX’s iMethods software. In addition, the companies are collaborating on methods development, including a rapid response unit for food crises.

Also discussing LC was Bruker, which will launch a nano-UHPLC later this year. Bruker highlighted its Chemical & Applied Markets unit, noting investments in GC/MS and LC/MS. The firm also disclosed the regional distribution of Bruker Scientific Instruments revenue: 41% from Europe, 30% from Asia Pacific/Australia/New Zealand, 23% from the Americas and 6% from India/Middle East/Africa.

Pittcon 2013 will take place March 17 to 21 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which promises a better turnout. Agilent told IBO that it has yet to decide if it will exhibit. Dusty Tenney, president of PerkinElmer Analytical Sciences and Laboratory Services, told IBO that the firm will not exhibit, focusing instead on regional customer events for specific end-markets and more intimate events.

 Column Chart: Pittcon Registration

                         New Orleans, LA 2008   Chicago, IL 2009   Orlando, FL 2010   Atlanta, GA 2011   Orlando, FL 2012

 Total Attendance                   19,536           19,018              16,876              17,199             15,754

 Exhibitor Personnel                 8,859            7,643               6,778               7,069              6,384