Flex/MSTC Joint Conference: A Collaborative Week in Monterey
March 6, 2019 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 1 minute

Collaboration filled the air at the Hyatt Regency in Monterey, California, as the 18th annual Flex/MEMS&Sensors technical conference brought flex technology and sensor experts and 550+ attendees together to network and share ideas from February 18–21, 2019. Known officially as the Flexible Electronics Conference and Expo and the MEMS & Sensors Technical Conference, respectively, these two events shared event space for the second time. SEMI, the industry association representing the electronics supply chain, hosted this conference.
Keynote speakers included Dragos Maciuca from Ford Motor Company, Jason Jelinek from John Deere Electronics Solutions, John A. Rogers from Rogers Research Group, Peter Hartwell from TDK InvenSense, Nancy Ranxing Li from Verizon, and Kristofer Pister from UC Berkley.
"The more than 550 FLEX and MSTC 2019 attendees saw the future of flexible printed and hybrid electronics and the MEMS and sensor technologies that are helping us reinvent a wide range of biomedical, transportation and IoT applications,” said Dave Anderson, president of SEMI Americas. He continued, “Small, flexible skin-worn devices that can monitor an infant’s vital signs, agricultural sensing platforms capable of improving food production, and autonomous vehicles that are both safe and affordable were just a few innovations highlighted at the event. Globally recognized industry innovators showed us how these technologies will transform our lives.”
SEMI President and CEO Ajit Manocha took the opportunity during his opening remarks to launch SEMI’s young professionals outreach campaign with this video.
In the expo hall, 60 exhibitor companies were on hand to discuss their latest products and projects. The center of the hall featured a TechTALKS pavilion, which hosted 17 fast-paced presentations, including product demos and discussions of best practices. Also, with 123 papers and presentations overall—36 related to MSTC and 87 sessions related to flex technology—the technical presentations on the conference side of the event were vibrant and full of energy.
The SEMI staff brought a lot of educational outreach to the Flex/MSTC conference. University student work was showcased in the lobby with 11 student teams discussing their research in sensors and flex manufacturing techniques. Look for additional coverage of SEMI’s educational programs coming soon.
Suggested Items
Seeing a Future in Mexico
07/09/2025 | Michelle Te, I-Connect007The Global Electronics Association (formerly known as IPC) has been instrumental in fostering a partnership with Guanajuato, a state north of Mexico City with 12 industrial clusters and close to 150 companies involved in electronics. This past spring, Alejandro Hernández, the undersecretary for investment promotion in Guanajuato, attended IPC APEX EXPO 2025 at the invitation of IPC Mexico Director Lorena Villanueva, where he met with several companies to discuss the opportunities available in Mexico. He is inviting electronics-related companies seeking long-term investment in a centrally located area with access to highways, railways, and ports.
Webinar Review: A Global Trade and Economy in Flux
07/09/2025 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamIn a July 8 webinar, Global Electronics Association Chief Economist Shawn DuBravac provided a comprehensive analysis of the evolving international trade environment, its implications for inflation, monetary policy, and labor dynamics, and a sober assessment of market valuations. In “Navigating a Shifting Landscape” DuBravac painted a picture of a global economy in flux, where shifting trade alliances and tariff structures are redrawing the supply chain map and influencing the broader economic landscape, while also conveying an overall bullish market outlook.
Arrow Electronics Launches Engineering Solutions Center to Support Tech Innovation Across India and Southeast Asia
07/09/2025 | Arrow ElectronicsArrow Electronics, a global provider of technology solutions, announced the launch of its new Engineering Solutions Center(ESC) in Bangalore, India.
LITEON Technology Reports Consolidated June Sales of NT$13.6 Billion, Up 16% Y-o-Y
07/08/2025 | LITEON TechnologyLITEON Technology reported its June consolidated revenue of NT$13.6 billion. Thanks to the growth from power management in cloud computing, advanced server, and networking, the revenue is up 2% M-o-M, 16% Y-o-Y. The cumulative sales for January to June totaled NT$76.8 billion, up 24%, Y-o-Y.
Niche Electronics Announces Major Manufacturing Upgrade
07/08/2025 | Niche ElectronicsNiche Electronics, a leading electronics manufacturing services company, announced today that it has completed installation of Yamaha’s newest SMT lineup at its Pennsylvania production facility.