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Nolan’s Notes: Have Passport, Will Travel

Technical conferences, expos, symposia, and trade gatherings of all kinds are back and in a big way. Maybe it’s just because we’ve been quiet for a while, followed by a year of careful, tentative restarts to the event schedules, but this year’s calendar of events seems to be full steam ahead. I’m excited to get back into the convention centers and hotel ballrooms; that is where some of our best reporting originates. That comes at a price, however, as my travel schedule looks pretty brutal in the coming months. Just between you and me, while it may feel brutal to my workload, I’m ready to dust off my passport, see some airports, and wear thin some shoe leather.

I certainly hope that you feel similarly. Thus, one of the best places to get back into the swing is SMTA International (SMTAI), taking place Oct. 31-Nov. 3 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The event is co-located with the four other shows that comprise the MD&M show. SMTA is an international network of professionals who build skills, share practical experience, and develop solutions in electronics manufacturing, including microsystems, emerging technologies, and related business operations¹. The other four shows include: MinnPack, for packaging solutions; ATX, for automation and robotics; D&M, for design and molding technologies; and Plastec, for plastics applications. All co-located along with SMTA, this event provides a wide range of potential solutions and connections for EMS specialists.

Besides providing an expo floor showcasing what’s new in the market, SMTAI also delivers one of the strongest technical conferences in the electronics manufacturing space. We feel so strongly that attendance at the show is just what our industry needs, we’re devoting this issue of SMT007 Magazine to pre-show coverage. One of our goals with this issue is to give attendees and exhibitors a field guide for the event, and perhaps just the impetus you need to attend. So, if you—or perhaps your supervisor—need some convincing as to why you should attend SMTAI this year, I know this issue will help make your case.

First, we kick off with an overview by Sal Sparacino, SMTA vice president of communications. We follow with interviews with SMTA President Martin Anselm and board member Rob Boguski. In addition, you’ll find information on the keynote speaker, the Technical Conference, the stellar Women’s Leadership Program, the Members of Distinction awards, Professional Development tracks, schedules of events, and a list of exhibitors.

If all that weren’t enough, students, young professionals, and industry newcomers are encouraged to participate in a “passport” networking program this year. Read more about this fun, engaging event on page 52, then visit smta.org to get registered. It’s a clever way to get introduced and to jumpstart your industry network.

I’m always at this show and I look forward to it. I may not be stamping SMTAI networking passports, but I’ll be delighted to talk to you about what’s happening in your neck of the world. Like I said, our best reporting comes from talking to colleagues at the shows. I want to hear your stories.

By the way, do you follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter? Be sure to check out our pages, like our posts, and add your comments. It’s the perfect way to stay informed and get updates on the latest information coming out of the electronics manufacturing industry. Even better, I’d love for you to share what you’re reading. Let’s get “social,” and I’ll see you at SMTA International.

Reference:

1. smta.org.

This column originally appears in the October 2022 issue of SMT007 Magazine.