The 2012 Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry, seventeenth in a series of biennial meetings, features developments in plasma spectrochemical analysis by inductively coupled plasma (ICP), dc plasma (DCP), microwave plasma (MIP), glow discharge (GDL, HCL), and laser sources. The meeting will be held in Tucson, Arizona (www.visitTucson.org) at the Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Resort (http://www.hiltonelconquistador.com). Continuing education short courses at introductory and advanced levels and manufacturers' seminars will be offered Friday through Monday, January 6 - 9. Spectroscopic instrumentation and accessories will be shown during an exhibition from January 10 to 12, and workshops on New Plasma Instrumentation, Clinical ICP-MS, and Elemental Speciation methodology also will be presented. The Conference will bring together international scientists experienced in applications, instrumentation, and theory in an informal setting to examine recent progress in the field. Approximately 600 participants from 30 countries are expected to attend. Over 300 papers describing applications, fundamentals, and instrumental developments with plasma sources will be presented in lecture and poster sessions by more than 200 authors. Symposia organized and chaired by recognized experts will include the following topics: 1) Sample introduction and transport phenomena; 2) Nanomaterial analysis and characterization; 3) Laser-assisted plasma spectrometry; 4) Imaging plasma mass spectrometry; 5) Sample preparation, treatment and automation, 6) Excitation mechanisms, plasma phenomena and modeling; 7) Spectroscopic standards and reference materials, and high-purity materials; 8) Plasma instrumentation, including high-resolution systems and advanced detectors; Plasma source mass spectrometry, 9) Glow discharge atomic and mass spectrometry, 10) Stable isotope analyses and forensics, 11) Elemental speciation and sample preparation for speciation; 12) Advanced materials bulk and surface characterization, and 13) Applications. Six plenary and 24 invited lectures will highlight advances in these areas. Four afternoon poster sessions will feature applications, automation, and new instrumentation. Distinguished scientists and investigators will present six Heritage Lectures.