Strategic Alliances to Host Special Sessions at SLAS2012

From the latest technology products and services, to building new facilities and using social media in the laboratory, new trends continually emerge in the laboratory science and technology field.

To stay abreast of these developments, the Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening (SLAS) is collaborating with three leading scientific organizations that are offering special sessions at SLAS2012, February 4-8, San Diego, CA, USA.

This year, SLAS is partnering with the Laboratory Products Association (LPA), Laboratory Robotics Interest Group (LRIG) and Analytical and Life Science Systems Association (ALSSA) to bring SLAS2012 participants timely and relevant sessions and informational briefings.

“SLAS is pleased to provide both our members and the scientific community with these special sessions that offer high-level education and trend reports vital to the industry,” says Michelle Palmer, SLAS President.

Palmer continued, “We are grateful to our strategic alliance partners for helping us deliver these valuable sessions and making SLAS2012 a success.”

Announcing the preliminary results of the 2012 North American Laboratory Equipment Purchasing Trends Study, the LPA session will take place from 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 6.

The study addresses numerous emerging trends, including spending for laboratory products broken down by categories; capital and non-capital equipment budgets; building of new laboratories; personnel issues to include the number of people in the laboratory, hiring and workload changes; and use of social media in the laboratory.

K.C. Warawa of K.C. Associates conducted the joint survey and will present the findings, as well as compare the results to previous studies.

Representatives from LRIG will host Late Night with LRIG - Rapid Fire Innovation, a highly interactive forum that weaves together 15 innovative companies from around the world to discuss the latest innovations in laboratory technology products and services.

Attendees will receive quick information bites from these companies and have the opportunity to participate in a question-and-answer session in an open-space atmosphere. This session is set for 7 - 9 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 6.

The exclusive, invitation-only ALSSA breakfast session will take place from 7 - 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 7.

This session provides an informal forum for dialogue among senior executive ALSSA members attending SLAS2012 and features presentations from leading academics and users on global trends in laboratory automation technologies and applications, and the strategic implications.