Last week, as scientists and those in the scientific community gathered in Antwerp, Belgium, to take part in EuChemS 2026, the American Chemical Society continued its 150th year celebrations early in the week with a reception inviting those in attendance to come network and converse with ACS leadership, ACS Publications editors, ACS staff, fellow ACS members, and senior researchers from around the globe.
“The partnership between ACS and the European Chemical Society, EuChemS, is very important because scientific progress thrives on collaboration, and many of the challenges facing society today require global perspectives and collective action,” said ACS President Rigoberto Hernandez in opening remarks at the reception. “We, too, can be chemists together.”
The ACS 150th reception at EuChemS offered attendees a relaxed environment to network and connect with scientists from around the world. Credit:
Stefaan Van Hul
The society has been using themes each month since the anniversary year started to help highlight the storied and dynamic history of science, spotlighting voices, stories, and programs that embody each theme. July’s theme is ‘Celebration,’ focusing on celebrating chemistry’s transformative contributions to science and society—contributions that wouldn’t be nearly as far-reaching if it weren’t for global connections and collaborations. The event intentionally noted a relaxed setting in the invitation “to spark ideas, encourage cross-disciplinary exchange, and strengthen global scientific connections.” All aims that have proven valuable when looking toward the future of a world built on science.
“Attendees came, maybe because they were curious about ACS or the food and drink that we would offer. Either way, they stayed because we offered the opportunity to network with chemists like themselves,” Hernandez says. “These chance meetings should drive careers for years to come, and provide collaborations that may answer today’s unknowns in chemistry.”
“The partnership between ACS and the European Chemical Society, EuChemS, is very important because scientific progress thrives on collaboration, and many of the challenges facing society today require global perspectives and collective action.”
To further emphasize global collaboration, ACS used the timing to mention a new membership program with the German Chemical Society that came out of the two societies’ most recent Memorandum of Understanding.
The celebrations will continue as ACS hosts ACS Fall 2026 in Chicago next month. Attendees of the conference can expect one of the JACS Symposium events, a special keynote, and other 150-related events. To learn more about ACS150, you can visit acs.org/150.
