SMTA International Expo Features Networking Program for Electronics Manufacturing Industry Newcomers

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The SMTA will host a networking event for young professionals and people new to the electronics manufacturing industry during the SMTA International Exposition on November 2 and 3, 2022 in Minneapolis, MN, USA.

“Passport to the World of SMT” is an interactive, in-expo networking event designed specifically to introduce newcomers to the industry’s top technical resources. Participants, called “Explorers” during the event, will receive passports to collect stamps from “Ambassadors” in designated booths on the show floor. When the Explorers introduce themselves, they will learn about the technology, get to ask questions, and exchange business cards. This FREE event is hosted by the SMTA Student and Young Professionals committee and is open to all attendees.

The program kicks off at 10 AM on Wednesday, November 2 with an opening reception and continental breakfast. During this meeting explorers will receive their passports and hear about the importance of networking from hosts Sal Sparacino, ZESTRON Americas, and Chrys Shea, Shea Engineering.

Explorer Passports will be organized in the order of a typical SMT process:

• Printing and SPI
• Placement
• Automated Optical Inspection (AOI)
• Mass Soldering
• Cleaning
• X-ray and Test Methods
• Rework and Hand Soldering

Ambassadors’ booths will be marked with flags, and Ambassadors will be easily identified by their special badges. Explorers will be able to walk the show floor and meet with Ambassadors at their own pace during the two-day expo. The program concludes at 1:00 PM on Thursday, September 3 in the SMTA Member Lounge when prizes will be awarded for the most active Explorers and their favorite Ambassadors.

L3Harris Technologies’ Adam Klett, Ph.D., chairperson of the Students and Young Professionals committee, explains the driver for this unique program, “We realize the incredible importance of linking tomorrow’s technology leaders with today’s Subject Matter Experts. These newer engineers need to know who to call when they face design and production challenges, and we all need to capture some of the experience and know-how from the technologists who grew up with surface mount technology since its inception.”