SLAS International Conference and Exhibition - Society for Laboratory Automation & Screening 2027
Event Date
January 30 – February 3, 2027
Location
San Diego, CA
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryThe SLAS International Conference and Exhibition is the flagship annual event of the Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening (SLAS) and the organization's must-attend gathering dedicated to life sciences discovery and laboratory automation technology. The 2027 edition, SLAS2027, takes place January 30–February 3, 2027 in San Diego, CA, under the theme "You Can't Stop the SLAS Momentum!"
The program pairs a fast-paced exhibition of the latest instruments, products and automation solutions with a deep education track spanning academia and industry, plus abundant networking across special-interest and social events. Attendees include life sciences researchers, drug-discovery scientists, engineers and laboratory automation professionals working in areas such as assay development and screening, cellular technologies, data science and AI, micro/nano technologies, new modalities and sample management.
It is worth attending because it concentrates thousands of practitioners, technology providers and thought leaders in one place at the start of the scientific year—an efficient way to evaluate new tools, present research, meet collaborators and track where the field is heading. The 2026 event drew more than 7,500 attendees, underscoring its scale as a premier industry meeting.
Show Highlights
- Dynamic exhibition featuring the latest laboratory automation instruments, products, supplies and suppliers.
- Eight scientific tracks plus keynote presentations, exhibitor tutorials and case studies.
- NexusXp: The Connected Lab — panel discussions highlighting the Design-Make-Test-Analyze (DMTA) cycle.
- Technology Provider Showcase and pre-conference Short Courses.
- Innovation Ave (new in San Diego) — a showcase giving start-up companies exposure to thousands of potential customers and investors.
- Awards and recognition, including the SLAS Innovation Award, SLAS Travel Awards and Student Poster Awards (with a $500 prize for winning students).
- Thrive in Science: SLAS Women's Leadership Forum.
- On-demand content recording available post-event to registrants via the SLAS APPLIED learning platform.
- SLAS2027 Co-Chairs: Joe de Rutte, PhD (Co-Founder and CEO, Partillion Bioscience) and Julea Vlassakis, PhD (Rice University).
Attendance
SLAS reported more than 7,500 life sciences researchers and laboratory automation technology professionals attended the 2025 conference. Promotional materials for SLAS2027 reference an audience of 7,000+ potential customers and investors. The audience is drawn from academia and industry across drug discovery, assay development and screening, and laboratory automation.
Registration
At the time of writing, full attendee registration for SLAS2027 was not yet open on the SLAS website. Prospective attendees can sign up for SLAS2027 registration alerts via the official mailing-list form to be notified when registration and deadlines go live.
Key related deadlines already published:
- Podium and poster abstracts (including SLAS Innovation Award, Travel Award and Student Poster Award submissions) — award deadline September 14.
- Innovation Ave applications for start-up companies are being accepted.
International attendees can request a Visa Letter of Invitation during the online registration process, but must first register and pay any applicable fees; letters are issued by email about three business days after registration and completion of the request form.
History
The SLAS International Conference and Exhibition is the flagship annual meeting presented by the Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening (SLAS), a nonprofit professional organization serving the life sciences discovery and laboratory automation community. The conference rotates among major U.S. convention cities—held in Boston, MA in 2026 and San Diego, CA for SLAS2027—and has grown into a premier industry gathering, drawing more than 7,500 attendees in 2025. It brings together researchers and technology providers spanning assay development and screening, cellular technologies, data science and AI, micro/nano technologies, new modalities and sample management.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is SLAS2027 taking place?
The SLAS2027 International Conference and Exhibition takes place January 30–February 3, 2027 in San Diego, CA, USA, with activities held at the San Diego Convention Center.
Who should attend the SLAS International Conference and Exhibition?
It is designed for life sciences researchers and laboratory automation technology professionals from both academia and industry, including those working in drug discovery, assay development and screening, cellular technologies, data science and AI, and sample management. The 2025 event drew more than 7,500 attendees.
What can I expect at the conference?
The program includes a large exhibition of lab automation products and suppliers, eight scientific tracks with keynote speakers, short courses, the NexusXp: The Connected Lab sessions, the new Innovation Ave start-up showcase, networking events, and awards such as the SLAS Innovation Award and Student Poster Awards.
How do I register for SLAS2027?
Full attendee registration had not yet opened at the time of writing. Interested attendees can sign up for SLAS2027 registration alerts through the official mailing-list form on the SLAS website to be notified when registration and deadlines are announced.
Which hotels and parking options are near the venue?
SLAS offers discounted group rates at official hotels including the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina (headquarters), Manchester Grand Hyatt, Hilton San Diego Bayfront and Gaslamp Quarter, and the Omni San Diego, most within walking distance of the convention center. On-site parking is available in the center's 1,950-vehicle underground garage, with rates typically ranging from $30 to $50.
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