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Feeling the Magic of a Show Opener at IPC APEX EXPO 2024
April 10, 2024 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
As we walked the show floor at IPC APEX EXPO on Tuesday, April 9, we were struck by the subtle differences in the feel of the show floor between Anaheim and the previous home in San Diego. Somehow, the large booths seem less dominant, and the smaller booths seem more prominent here in the shadow of Disneyland where everything feels just a little bit magical.
Tuesday’s proceedings kicked off with a keynote presentation by former Disney Imagineer Paul Bailey. He shared inspiring stories of how he came to work for Disney, including images of him growing up obsessed with “Star Wars” and a desire to someday grow up and work with those films.
He especially talked about how to achieve a “moonshot” project, something that can seem insurmountable when first taking it on. He used the example of his first movie, “Dante’s Peak,” and the hundreds of people it took to build models that were used in the movie to simulate a volcanic eruption.
The keynote was followed by the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the show floor. The lay of the show floor is a bit different from San Diego, but the aisles felt full, especially by early afternoon, when many attendees completed their technical sessions and committee meetings and began visiting the booths on the show floor.
Highlights of the day included the IPC Design Competition, where four of the five competitors worked on their designs remotely. With one big projector screen at the front of the room, and several large monitors, the competition was overseen by IPC’s Kris Moyer and Patrick Crawford. They answered questions from competitors while sometimes admiring the way the designs were being put together. Winners will be announced on Thursday.
There was also a show floor reception at the close of the day, followed by a Women in Electronics event that featured a panel of female engineers ranging in age, experience, and situations. They reflected on the need to create a work-life balance when it comes to managing expectations at work and at home.
On Monday night, April 8, as we looked out over the Anaheim skyline from the convention center’s third-floor terrace, the Electronics Circuits World Conference (ECWC) reception was held at IPC APEX EXPO.
Held once every three years, this international PCB symposium is hosted in a different global city each time. This year, IPC is hosting ECWC16. Formed in 1998, the World Electronics Circuits Council (WECC) is a strategic partnership of ten international trade organizations for PCBs, including IPC, CPCA, HKPCA, EIPC, ELCINA, IPCA, JPCA, TPCA, KPCA, and THPCA, representing the U.S., China, Hong Kong, Europe, Taiwan, India, Korea and Thailand.
The organizations cooperate on standards, market research, marketing, resource development, environmental issues, world trade, and economic/political affairs. Because of this year’s merging of IPC APEX EXPO and ECWC16, the quality and level of the technology and special sessions may be unparalleled with so much access to global expertise.
In his opening remarks, John Mitchell, president and CEO of IPC, said it well, remarking that we are better together as he stressed the importance of collaboration and partnership between and amongst all of our associations.
Held on the Pacific Terrace on Monday night, the Newcomers’ reception was packed with first-timers, including a number of young engineers. Appetizers, beer and wine were served, while young engineers mingled with returning attendees and IPC staff.
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Enhance Your Electronics Expertise Through IPC Courses in August
07/25/2024 | Corey Lynn, IPCAs the global leader in standards, training, and certification for the electronics industry, IPC is pleased to announce an array of upcoming online instructor-led courses this August. These courses are designed to equip professionals with the latest skills and knowledge required to excel in the ever-evolving field of electronics manufacturing and design. Whether you want to deepen your expertise in PCB design and manufacturing, understand the intricacies of intermetallic compounds, or learn about counterfeit part mitigation, IPC has a course tailored for you.
The Knowledge Base: The Value of Industry Certifications
07/24/2024 | Mike Konrad -- Column: The Knowledge BaseIndustry certifications have become increasingly significant in the modern job market, offering a range of benefits to both individuals and employers. These certifications serve as formal recognitions of expertise and proficiency in specific areas, validating a person's skills and knowledge. In the context of the electronics assembly industry, certifications are particularly valuable, given the technical nature of the work and the rapid advancements in technology.
Tom Edman Leads IPC Board of Directors
07/17/2024 | Marcy LaRont, PCB007 MagazineIPC elected several new board members at IPC APEX EXPO in April, including new Board Chair Tom Edman, CEO of TTM, who assumes the role from Bob Neves, CTO and chair of Microtek Laboratories. Tom and TTM have long been active in many facets of IPC. I caught up with Tom and asked him about his new board appointment, IPC, and the industry he serves. He emphasizes IPC’s work in standards and advocacy as especially important for our industry.
Getting Clear About Certification With Charlie Capers
07/17/2024 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamWalk through the entrance at Zentech Dallas and you’ll see a wall of certification plaques prominently displayed. Beyond being impressive and a point of pride, these certifications tell a story to potential customers: This company is ready to do business. Charlie Capers, former vice president and general manager, shares his insights on quantifying the ROI of certifications. You may not see it on paper, but it’s definitely there. He also talks about his expectations for new hires and shares a case study about the importance of collaborating with your PCB designers.
Winners of 2024 IPC Masters Competition China Announced
07/17/2024 | IPCFrom July 8-10, the 2024 IPC Masters Competition China was successfully held in Pudong, Shanghai. This year’s competition, was the largest in the history of the Greater China region, bringing nearly 400 electronics industry elites from 18 provinces and municipalities.