This text covers the American Physical Society’s March Meeting, which took place in Las Vegas earlier this month. The meeting brings together physics researchers from around the world, including Nobel-prize winners, to share research projects, gossip, and network for their next job. The conference is also known for its signature 12-minute talk format, with thousands of talks running in parallel throughout the week. This year’s meeting was best known for the announcement of room-temperature superconductivity by a group of physicists, which was met with controversy and Twitter discussions. Despite the distractions of the Las Vegas strip, thousands of physicists were in attendance and resisted the temptations of the city’s casinos and attractions.
The APS March Meeting in Las Vegas
The annual APS March Meeting, which brings together thousands of physicists from around the world, was held in Las Vegas this year. Despite the city’s reputation for debauchery and gambling, the physicists were there for the conference and not the slot machines. This wasn’t the first time the APS had held its March Meeting in Las Vegas; the last time was in 1986, and the city’s casinos reportedly had their worst weekend ever due to the frugal and science-focused nature of the physicists.
As a member of the APS, the author arrived in Vegas with a sense of gravitas, ready to engage with colleagues and the latest developments in physics. However, the sensory overload of the city, with its engineered sights and sounds designed to lure gamblers, was a stark contrast to the academic nature of the conference.
Despite the setting, Vegas remains a popular location for professional conventions, with its plethora of megahotels and ballrooms, as the city strives to attract business and tourism.
The March Meeting in Vegas
The annual March Meeting of the American Physical Society, held earlier this month in Las Vegas, is the largest event on the physics social calendar. The conference brings together thousands of researchers from around the world, including Nobel laureates, to discuss the latest developments in physics.
The conference features thousands of 12-minute talks, with up to 75 taking place simultaneously. With so many talks to choose from, attendees can use a handy app to navigate the program and create a personalized schedule.
Despite the distractions of Las Vegas, attendees remain focused on the science. The Caesars Forum conference center serves as the main venue, and the talks begin promptly at 8 a.m. each day. Attendees can also enjoy the bright and stimulating atmosphere of the lobbies filled with slot machines and roulette tables.
For the uninitiated, attempting to attend every talk can be overwhelming. Many attendees choose to prioritize and carefully select which talks to attend, rather than trying to absorb as much information as possible.
The March Meeting is a valuable opportunity for physicists to share their research and engage with colleagues from around the world. In a city designed to cater to excess and indulgence, the conference serves as a reminder of the power and importance of science.
The March Meeting in Las Vegas: A Triumph Over Temptations
After being cancelled in 2020 and held in a hybrid format in 2022, the March Meeting of the American Physical Society was finally held in person in Las Vegas earlier this month. The conference served as a much-needed opportunity for physicists to network and engage with colleagues in person, after more than two years of virtual meetings and cancelled events.
The March Meeting is not just an opportunity to hear about the latest research, but also a chance to connect with peers and old friends. However, finding a quiet spot for conversation in a city designed for excess and indulgence can be challenging. Outside the conference center, dozens of round tables were crammed together, each hosting multiple conversations.
The conference center itself was packed with attendees, many of whom had been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to gather in person once again. The density of people was alarming, but it was heartening to see attendees resisting the temptations of Las Vegas, including the buffets and endless pampering of the city’s luxurious hotels.
One highlight of the conference was a talk by 2022 Nobel laureate John Clauser, who used a Star Trek meme to beat the local hidden-variable theory to death. Thousands of physicists chose to skip the Vegas nightlife in favor of attending the talk and were rewarded with a spread of artichoke and asparagus.
Las Vegas proved to be the perfect location for the March Meeting’s comeback. Despite the challenges of finding quiet spots for conversation and the overwhelming crowds at the conference center, physicists were able to resist the city’s temptations and focus on the science. After two years of cancellations and hybrid formats, the success of the 2023 March Meeting was a triumph over adversity.
This year’s March Meeting in Las Vegas was quite the event. The weeklong conference was attended by thousands of physicists from around the world, who came together to share their research and catch up with colleagues. The March Meeting is known for its signature 12-minute talk format, with thousands of talks scheduled throughout the week.
While the conference is a serious scientific event, it also serves a larger social purpose. It is an opportunity for physicists to network, collaborate, and even catch up with old friends. But finding a place to chat in a city like Vegas, where noise and stimulation are ever-present, is no easy feat. Nevertheless, attendees managed to resist the temptations of the city, instead packing the casino-free ballroom to hear Nobel laureate John Clauser speak.
This year’s March Meeting was particularly noteworthy due to the announcement of the discovery of room-temperature superconductivity by a group of physicists. The discovery was met with controversy, and even attempts by labs to reproduce the results. However, the announcement was a reminder that in Vegas, what happens there should stay there.
Overall, the March Meeting was an educational and sensory experience for attendees. It was also a testament to the resilience of the scientific community, who managed to come together despite the challenges of the pandemic.
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