From Classroom To Conference Hall – The Journey Of A Science Teacher Who Now Leads A Global Nonprofit

To tell us more about this exciting, dynamic, and diverse event and why you should attend it, we interviewed Don Antczak, the President of Pittcon 2026. He explains how he got involved with the event and how Pittcon is more than a simple conference: it’s a chance to foster the next generation of scientists and an opportunity to give back to the community in many meaningful ways.   

What is Pittcon and how did you get involved with it?

Pittcon is one of the largest conferences and science exhibitions, not only in the US but in the world. We are a yearly event. We are run by a small office staff of 12 people and about 120 volunteers. Our office staff are absolutely incredible.

I got involved in the event in 2005. I am a retired fifth grade science teacher. Every year, we held an event in our school called Science Olympiad, and one time, a parent came in as a volunteer to help us run some of the events her child was doing. She was so enamoured by the program that she said, “You know, is there a way that you can get your program out to other teachers?” So, I started that way and then ended up joining Pittcon. My first conference was in 2008 in New Orleans, and it's been a marriage made in heaven from there on. 

Each year, Pittcon picks a new president, so last year the Society of for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh came to me and said, “Would you be willing to serve as Pittcon President?”. I said yes, and it’s been a fun ride. The more I do, the more I love the conference. 

Pittcon is known for bringing together scientists from across disciplines. What's one surprising connection or collaboration you've seen emerge because of this event?

Probably what I have to reflect on is what we do with employment networking. We are probably one of the only conferences that offers an Employment Bureau where we have potential employees come in and they can do a mock interview. We have resume reviewers, and we also have some of our exhibitors that are looking for people in sales or research. They will come up and interview potential clients during Pittcon. As a matter of fact, that's how our 2025 President, Heather Juzwa, got her job with Shimadzu – she went in for an interview with them. They loved her. They hired her.

We've had quite a few other people who have just come to Pittcon for the Employment Bureau and have ended up getting jobs with other companies. That, to me, is pretty incredible.

The other thing is the networking sessions that we offer. They’re a place where people from different scientific disciplines can meet other people in their field. And it's a discussion group where researchers meet and talk about what is going on in their field; and then what happens is they form lasting bonds outside of the conference.

This networking goes beyond what they do in the conference; those connections are long-lasting and everybody that has attended networking sessions has told us. We even have some Pittcon groupies who follow us as they're always looking to further themselves. 

Pittcon’s philanthropic mission sets it apart from many conferences. Can you share the story of an impact that really stuck with you?

To my knowledge, we are the only conference that does science outreach, and that is our mission. We continue to promote science and science education. Last year, in Boston, four schools were awarded $5,000 grants to purchase science equipment for their schools, and there was a process that they went through to do that.

This time, we’re working with a group called the Centers for Applied Science and Technology (CAST Schools) in San Antonio. We have developed an entire program with four different areas where participating schools have to pick a project, work on that project, and then present it at Pittcon. Committee volunteers will then review the projects, and the winners will receive a $5,000 grant for equipment for their schools.

Last year, we also held a 5-kilometer [3-mile] run where we tried to match some of the funds raised by participants. That money was donated to a homeless shelter in Boston.

I volunteer for an organization here in Pittsburgh called Light of Life, which is a homeless mission that's very near and dear to my heart. So, for the next Pittcon, we will be raising funds for Haven for Hope, which is their homeless mission in San Antonio, and we're making connections with them to give them a donation to help with their group and their homeless situation.

That science outreach is critically important to us: without people having an interest in science, we have no attendees.

Conferences can be exhausting, how is Pittcon helping participants unwind after a busy day?

Participants can sign up for activities on the registration portal. We’re inviting them to take part in things like Topgolf, where they can come out with us and hit some golf balls. We’re offering them dinner and drinks so they can relax and unwind. After a long day, they can enjoy a dinner river barge cruise where they can see San Antonio from the water at night. This is also part of the networking experience. If they’re at the conference on their own, they can meet other people who may be on their own, especially if this is their first conference.

We did similar in previous years and had attendees say, “You know what, I came to Pittcon on my own. I didn’t know anybody, and this evening helped me make connections with other people.” That's why I say, if you're attending the conference, especially if you're by yourself, do take advantage of one of the evening activities. You will make good connections, your connections will be long-lasting, and it'll give you a chance to take a deep breath and unwind.

Also, make sure you sign up for Fiesta Pittcon. The first thousand people will get a light-up cowboy hat [when] they attend!

We also have tours of the Alamo, a key historical site associated with the history of the Texas Revolution, planned.

I think that's the best thing for survival after a long day. Go out, take a deep breath, decompress, have some fun, have a few drinks, get to visit San Antonio and make those connections. 

What are you most looking forward to about Pittcon 2026, and why should people attend it?

Aside from the exciting program we have planned for the Pittcon conference, I think San Antonio itself is an exciting city. It's a beautiful city. In March 2026, the flowers will be just coming out, so the river walk will be absolutely beautiful. I can't wait to go because I have fallen in love with San Antonio.

The cuisine there covers everything imaginable. People may think it's a lot of Mexican food – there is that option – but if you like Tex-Mex, then San Antonio is the place to go. If you want a Texas steak, that’s the place to go. The Italian food there is absolutely incredible too. 

Registration for Pittcon 2026 is now open. Sign up today and join the growing and thriving community of scientists and researchers taking part in this exciting annual event. And be sure to enjoy the river cruise, tours, and food while you’re there!

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