Mass Spectrometry for a Changing World - Bernie Monaghan

As the Universities of Cardiff and Swansea have long held a renowned position in the world of Mass Spectroscopy via their output of well known academics and post graduate students, it seemed appropriate that the nomadic 31st BMSS 3 day meeting should find its way to the Cardiff City Hall (September 5-8th). Dr John Langley, the outgoing Chairman of the BMSS, noted in his letter to delegates that the fact that this constituted a quantum shift away from the usual academic campus environments which had previously hosted the BMSS meeting, this movement was driven by feedback from delegates and exhibitors, the organisers requirements for venue capabilities and ‘the crippling costs imposed by Universities’. To further reinforce the changes this year, delegates were encouraged to book their own accommodation, a reflection on the University offered options from the past.

Most importantly of all, feedback from delegates had indicated that a change in the structure of the meeting would be welcomed leading to a revamped format that reflected the structure of the current world of Mass Spectrometry. For many delegates the social programme is the keystone of the meeting and this was kept as intact as possible with various off-site venues hosting the delegates and exhibitors as they continued to network. Unfortunately the usual generous sponsorship of the exhibitors as seen at York two years ago was not forthcoming, maybe a sign of the economic climate, but the organisers did manage to find sponsors to keep the events alive. Perhaps the most intriguing contributors were the bookmakers (and punters) who were associated with the Racing Pigs event, the less said about which, the better.