Vacuum Expo is co-located with a broad range of high quality technical presentations and tutorials. Featured is the 2nd UK Vacuum Symposium (VS-2) which will run for two days under the stewardship of the RGA User Group and sponsored by the Institute of Physics Vacuum Group.

The meeting will provide something for everyone in this unique community: including FREE training seminars for new vacuum users, technical talks for the more experienced vacuum user and a vacuum equipment and accessories exhibition for all. The VS-2 meeting will be held at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry on 18/19 October 2011 to coincide with Vacuum Expo 2011 - the UK's only vacuum manufacturers exhibition with 30% more exhibiting companies compared to 2010 - and the 20th annual Photonex event which supports light, sensing & imaging technologies.

The programme provides two distinctly different vacuum meetings. On Tuesday 18th, RGA10 - the 10th meeting of the successful Residual Gas Analysers User Group will be of interest to all users (both current and potential) of RGA instrumentation. The organisers hope to bring together industrial, academic and research-based RGA users. Wednesday 19th see a meeting on the Advances in Vacuum Pump Technology. This one day technical meeting is aimed at a wide audience including all users of vacuum pumps. The meeting will cover some history of vacuum pumps; details of pumping mechanisms; advantages and disadvantages of pumps within families; advances in pumping technology in recent years; and provide some specific examples of pump applications. Pumps covering the range from atmosphere through Ultra High Vacuum (UHV) and beyond into eXtreme High Vacuum (XHV) will be considered.

Complementing these symposia will be two free training seminars led by industry-renowned specialist trainer, Dr Austin Chambers. Delegates are invited to select their preferences on the main registration form.

Vacuum Expo's technical programme also includes a one day meeting entitled 'Nanostructured Metal Oxide Thin Films and Integrated Devices', which is supported by NanoKTN, MaterialsKTN along with the IOP's Vacuum, Optical, Thin Films and Surfaces Groups. These high value forums provide interaction between engineers and scientists with practical vacuum experience and a real opportunity for professional development. Throughout both days, there will be ample opportunity to question the speakers, both formally and informally. It will be an excellent networking opportunity for those working with vacuum day to day.

Potential visitors and contributors to the scientific programme are encouraged to visit the Vacuum Expo website (www.vacuum-expo.com) and register their interest today to receive regular electronic newsletters detailing the up to date additions to the agenda. With a total of over 100 exhibiting companies expected in Coventry, 2011 is going to be one of the UK's most exciting and successful technology events of the year.