Many practitioners of trace element analysis think of detection limits as figures on a spec sheet or as measurements performed periodically to meet a regulatory requirement. Others see them in the context of “chasing zero.” While those views are all valid, there is still much more to detection limits. In this symposium, we present highly practical information that can be used to help improve your analytical proficiency and performance not only at low trace element concentrations, but at higher levels as well. We start with a deep dive into detection limits and limits of quantification for atomic spectrometry techniques: what they are, how they are defined, and what influences them. We also look at what is driving the requirements for certain detection limits and why we are on a seemingly never-ending quest to reduce them. Presentations on real-world applications involving low trace element concentrations show how several different factors can stack up to affect detection limits and why a holistic approach is required to achieve truly meaningful analytical results. Finally, we have several presentations on the latest commercially available tools and techniques for improving trace element detection limits and overall analytical performance.