-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- pcb007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueVoices of the Industry
We take the pulse of the PCB industry by sharing insights from leading fabricators and suppliers in this month's issue. We've gathered their thoughts on the new U.S. administration, spending, the war in Ukraine, and their most pressing needs. It’s an eye-opening and enlightening look behind the curtain.
The Essential Guide to Surface Finishes
We go back to basics this month with a recount of a little history, and look forward to addressing the many challenges that high density, high frequency, adhesion, SI, and corrosion concerns for harsh environments bring to the fore. We compare and contrast surface finishes by type and application, take a hard look at the many iterations of gold plating, and address palladium as a surface finish.
It's Show Time!
In this month’s issue of PCB007 Magazine we reimagine the possibilities featuring stories all about IPC APEX EXPO 2025—covering what to look forward to, and what you don’t want to miss.
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Media kit
||| MENU - pcb007 Magazine
IPC APEX EXPO Technical Session Preview
January 27, 2020 | Nolan Johnson, PCB007Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Brook Sandy-Smith, IPC technical conference program manager, previews the technical side of IPC APEX EXPO 2020, which includes the customary technical sessions, but also some new wrinkles like the fundamentals program and “sessions @ the intersection” to encourage more interaction.
Nolan Johnson: Brook, welcome back! We’re talking about IPC APEX EXPO, which is coming up in the early part of February 2020. You have a lot of your part of the program already figured out.
Brook Sandy-Smith: IPC APEX EXPO is planned far in advance so that we can get everything on the website in time for people to plan their travel. I’m overseeing the technical conference and professional development courses.
Johnson: Let’s start with what’s new this year at IPC APEX EXPO.
Sandy-Smith: It’s the 20th anniversary of the show, so that’s exciting. We’re trying to celebrate in some cool ways. We want people to share pictures from the past 20 years of being at the show and recognize exhibitors that have been around the whole time. I’m also trying to put together more ways to let people know all the cool things that we’re planning because sometimes people don’t know about some of the other things that are going on. We’re trying to have more networking and interactive events. Another cool thing is that we’re on the other side of the convention center this year, so it will feel fresh and different because we’ve been in the same space for several years. It might throw people off balance a little bit. We definitely want to mention this ahead of time, so as people visualize the future and what they’re going to do at IPC APEX EXPO, they realize it’s going to be in a different space. And one of my favorite things about that is that the conference sessions are near the windows, looking out onto the terrace and bay, so you can easily walk out and see the ocean, which is what I always wanted.
Johnson: That changes the whole experience.
Sandy-Smith: It makes it feel a lot different. It’s sad when you’re at IPC APEX EXPO for a few days but never see the ocean. This year, I’ll see it every day, so that’s new. I also decided to do something different regarding the buzz sessions, which were free to expo attendees and people that come to the technical conference, but they were a bit outside of the technical conference because they were unconventional topics.
To read this entire interview, which appeared in the January 2020 issue of PCB007 Magazine, click here.
Suggested Items
Nick Koop Launches IPC Flex Design Class
05/06/2025 | Andy Shaughnessy, Design007 MagazineNick Koop is director of flex technology for TTM Technologies, and he’s been a staple of IPC’s flex committees for decades. He’s also a longtime flex design instructor, and he’s about to debut a new IPC class, Flex and Rigid-Flex Design for Manufacturability, which will run May 12–21. In this interview, Nick tells us about this new class and what attendees can expect to learn.
The Government Circuit: Trump’s Trade War Disrupts the Electronics Ecosystem
05/06/2025 | Chris Mitchell -- Column: The Government CircuitThere is certainly no shortage of work to be done in the IPC Government Relations department, as the U.S. waged a tariff campaign on practically every industrial country in the world and several countries embarked on high-tech initiatives with a mix of approaches to the crucial foundations of electronics manufacturing. Indeed, the breadth and speed of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff campaign continues to be a serious challenge for our industry.
Meet Thiago Guimaraes, IPC's New Director of Industry Intelligence
05/05/2025 | Chris Mitchell, IPC VP, Global Government RelationsThe fast pace of innovation in the electronics manufacturing industry means business owners must continuously adapt their processes and capabilities to meet changing customer demands and market trends. To that end, IPC has hired Thiago Guimaraes as the new director of Industry Intelligence. In this interview, Thiago shares key goals and objectives that could revolutionize the industry as he helps stakeholders navigate industry trends and challenges.
Nolan's Notes: The Next Killer App in Component Manufacturing
05/02/2025 | Nolan Johnson -- Column: Nolan's NotesFor quite a while, I’ve been wondering what the next “killer app” will be in electronics manufacturing and why it has been so long since the last disruptive change in EMS. I believe the answer lies in artificial intelligence, which has exploded as the next disruptor.
IPC Excellence in Education Award: Zenaida Valianu
05/01/2025 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007Zenaida Valianu is the training manager at IPC who brings more than 25 years of expertise in standards and training development to her role. She has revolutionized IPC certification training programs by significantly enhancing their content with comprehensive curricula and engaging materials. She has also been instrumental in developing essential workforce training courses and contributing to various other initiatives.