It’s been a little while since my last editorial, but I wanted to report on the GOLD 2015 conference which was held in Cardiff on the 26th–29th July 2015 under the chairmanship of Professor Graham Hutchings.

This was the 7th conference focusing on research, development, and industrial applications of gold. It drew almost 300 people from around the world and offered a broad range of presentations from leading academics and industrial scientists. The next generation of gold scientists also had ample opportunity to highlight their work with well-attended poster sessions and quick-fire mini oral presentations. Particular highlights for me were Johnson Matthey’s report of their successful commercialisation efforts for a new gold-based catalyst for Vinyl Chloride Monomer synthesis, and the ongoing work of BBI Solutions to provide improved diagnostic devices using modified gold nanoparticles. The poster sessions were equally strong, with interesting results in fields as diverse as catalysis, nanotechnology, and sensing applications presented. Moving away from the science, the conference meal was a Welsh extravaganza with excellent local food and entertainment was provided by the world famous Trelawnyd Male Voice Choir in the wonderful surroundings of Cardiff City Hall.

The overriding feeling I left Cardiff with was the strength of the community. Gold is a special metal, unique in so many ways. The gold conference has always been an event of huge diversity in the work presented—there are few conferences in which, for example, theoretical studies into catalytic reactions mechanisms sit so comfortably next to the development of new drug delivery systems. Gold is at the heart of many interesting and novel technologies and bringing the community together every 3 years allows collaborations to form which will help drive the next wave of innovation.

During a meeting of the International Organising Committee, it was decided that GOLD 2018 would be held in Paris under the chairmanship of Professor Catherine Louis. Professor Louis has long been a staunch supporter of the community, and it was unanimously agreed Paris will be a fantastic venue for the next iteration of the meeting. BBI Solutions, whose support has been so valuable in setting up and running GOLD 2015, once again indicated they would be interested in leading the sponsorship of the event. The conference is in excellent hands.

As always, I hope you enjoy this double issue of Gold Bulletin, and my thanks to the authors, reviewers and editorial board for their ongoing support of the journal.