Pittcon goes ahead despite coronavirus

ABSTRACT

The novel coronavirus was on everyone’s mind at Pittcon, the big scientific instrumentation conference held last week at McCormick Place in Chicago. In the halls, breezeways, and bars, scientists and instrument company executives took 5 min here and 10 min there to check in with one another about the latest on the disease, called COVID-19, caused by the new coronavirus. Many booths sat empty, with signs stating that the exhibitor who had reserved the spot was “absent due to travel restrictions.” Firms small and large told C&EN that travel for their staff was down to a minimum, and they were watching and waiting to see how the virus would impact their business. “I’m here at this show because someone from China couldn’t make it,” said Bob Schuman, director of marketing and product management at KPM Analytics. A staffer at his firm, which makes specialized instruments for food and agriculture markets