Where Should the 2028 Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry Be Held?

I had the unique opportunity to attend the Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry in 2024 and 2026. Although both conferences were slightly different in their own way, one similarity is that both were held in Tucson, Arizona.

The state of Arizona holds personal significance to me, as I had a lot of family who lived in the state during my childhood. As a result, I had visited the state plenty of times, and it remains one of my favorite states. So, when I had the chance to go to Arizona for the Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry, I jumped at the opportunity.

Needless to say, location is important when deciding where to host conferences. Especially since the Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry takes place in January, it becomes even more important that the location serves as a selling point for attendees.

Tucson always made sense as a location for the Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry because of its January climate. The city is also home to the University of Arizona, which is home to renowned programs in optical sciences, astrophysics, and analytical chemistry. Its College of Optical Sciences and strong partnerships with national labs and industry make Tucson a hub for spectroscopy and plasma research, so there was also a scientific connection that made sense (1).

However, despite Tucson being a suitable host city for the Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry, there are other cities that would also make sense to host future iterations of the Winter Conference. In case the International Atomic Spectrometry Association (IASA) is open to considering a venue change for 2028, I thought it would be fun to explore other potential host cities that could be fitting locations for future conferences.

Below are five U.S. host cities that combine mild winter weather with excellent scientific infrastructure perfect for fostering collaboration and innovation.

Proposed City #1: San Diego, California

San Diego’s coastal Mediterranean climate makes it one of the most pleasant U.S. cities to visit in January, with daytime temperatures often in the mid-60s to low-70s °F (2). The city contains numerous important scientific institutions, such as the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego (UCSD), and major research arms of companies like Illumina, that create an ecosystem that thrives on analytical science and interdisciplinary exchange. San Diego’s proximity to advanced spectroscopic and imaging facilities, along with its strong materials science community, aligns naturally with the conference’s focus areas. The combination of world-class research and seaside charm would offer an appealing setting for attendees.

Its location also offers another unique advantage—its proximity to Asia. If the Winter Conference is looking to expand its outreach in that region of the world, San Diego offers a more convenient destination for potential attendees.

Proposed City #2: Orlando, Florida

There’s a reason why people love to visit Florida in the winter, especially if they live in the northeast. It offers a perfect escape from the cold, brutal weather. Orlando, which is a major city in central Florida, is a beneficiary of northerners escaping frigid temperatures. With a mild and pleasant climate in January, Orlando is a visitor’s hotspot thanks to it being “the theme park capital of the world,” and the city offers many fun-filled activities for visitors to enjoy (3). Because of its reputation as a vacation city, Orlando is very accessible to travelers all over the globe and in the United States, making it an appealing host city.

Beyond its tourism reputation, Orlando has a robust scientific and engineering community. University of Central Florida (UCF) is one of the nation’s largest universities and is known for strong programs in optics, modeling and simulation, materials science, and engineering research (4). The region also hosts a number of defense, simulation, and aerospace research organizations, providing rich opportunities for collaboration and industrial engagement. Orlando’s accessibility and conference infrastructure further support its appeal as a host city.

Conference attendees could easily bring their loved ones, especially if they have small kids, and turn a trip to the Winter Conference into a memorable family experience. Nothing like a perfect week talking about the latest in spectrochemistry while also finding time to take the kids to Disney World, SeaWorld, or Universal, right?

Proposed City #3: Austin, Texas

Staying with our theme of good weather cities with a strong connection to scientific research, Austin, the capital of Texas, makes the cut. Its January climate is typically mild, making it comfortable for both conference activities and exploring the city. The region’s research landscape is anchored by The University of Texas at Austin, a major research university that boasts influential programs in physics, chemistry, and engineering. Austin’s thriving tech culture (Amazon, Google, Oracle, and Dell, among others, have offices in the city) and energetic downtown atmosphere would also provide an engaging environment for scientific exchange and networking (5).

Austin is also known for its culinary and live music scene, which could open up the conference for additional social opportunities outside the conference venue.

Proposed City #4: Houston, Texas

Staying in the state of Texas, another city that makes a lot of sense is Houston. Like Orlando, Houston is well-connected to airports around the world, which makes it easier for attendees to travel there. Houston is also home to Rice University, the University of Houston, and a large cluster of medical and energy research institutions. Houston also has deep ties to analytical science and instrumentation development, and the city’s proximity to NASA’s Johnson Space Center further broadens its scientific appeal (6).

Houston is also not far from Galveston, Texas, which is a popular vacation spot. Its proximity also gives the IASA more options when looking at a venue to host the conference. After all, Galveston serves as the host city for the Gulf Coast Conference.

Proposed City #5: Miami, Florida

And finally, we go back to another city in Florida. Miami’s tropical climate ensures consistently warm January temperatures. Beyond its vibrant culture and beaches, Miami is a growing research hub. Florida International University (FIU) and the University of Miami both maintain active science and engineering programs, including work in environmental chemistry, spectroscopy, and computational modeling. Miami’s strategic location also invites participation from Latin American colleagues, potentially expanding the conference’s international reach.

Miami is a city built for visitors, so the IASA and conference organizers would have numerous options for picking a venue.

Do you agree with this list? What other U.S. cities should be considered as alternative options to host the Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry?

References

1. The University of Arizona, Wyant College of Optical Sciences. Arizona.edu. Available at: https://www.optics.arizona.edu/ (accessed 2026-01-30).
2. California Climate Adaptation Strategy. CA.gov. Available at: https://climateresilience.ca.gov/regions/san-diego.html (accessed 2026-01-30).
3. Regal Oaks Orlando, How did Orlando, Florida become Theme Park Capital of the World? Regal Oaks Orlando. Available at: https://www.regaloaksorlando.com/how-did-orlando-florida-become-theme-park-capital-of-the-world/ (accessed 2026-01-30).
4. University of Central Florida, CREOL, The College of Optics and Photonics. UCF.edu. Available at: https://creol.ucf.edu/ (accessed 2026-01-30).
5. Skybox Data Centers, How Austin Became the Fastest-growing Tech Hub in the US. Skybox Data Centers. Available at: https://skyboxdatacenters.com/news/how-austin-became-the-fastest-growing-tech-hub-in-the-us (accessed 2026-01-30).
6. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Johnson Space Center. NASA.gov. Available at: https://www.nasa.gov/johnson/ (accessed 2026-01-30)