A Review of the 2024 Del Mar Electronics and Manufacturing Show

Estimated reading time: 1 minute

The Del Mar Electronics and Manufacturing Show (DMEMS) in Del Mar, California, recently took place at an unlikely venue: the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

Doug Bodenstab, founder and show organizer, says the show covers everything in electronics manufacturing: design tools, components, base materials, training, testing, board fabrication, AI, data analytics, and more. While you can find about anything online these days, Bodenstab adds that there is no substitute for meeting people in person.

This show started 28 years ago and remains a favorite among many exhibitors and attendees. There is no cost to participate in any of the show’s activities; everything is free to attendees, including parking. DMEMS occupies three halls and has more than 350 exhibitors. After a full first day, visitors gathered in the evening for an outdoor reception that included adult beverages, plenty of food, and great music from a live band.

In addition to the exhibit halls, technical and informational sessions are offered throughout the two days. Steph Chavez of Siemens kicked off morning tech sessions in a room full of PCB designers. His presentation provided tips, tricks, best practices in design, and advice for circuit designers to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Mike Hoyt of IPC had a great presentation on the value side of workforce training. He stressed that the investment in training provides a measurable ROI, including employee retention and improved yields and capabilities.

Kris Vasaya of Adura Solutions presented information about the company’s new SinkPad technology, a thermal management printed circuit board technology that efficiently reduces temperature while extending the life and performance of devices.

Visitors could choose from many other sessions throughout the event. John Watson, a professor at nearby Palomar College and a member of IPC’s Design Leadership Council, took full advantage of this event by bringing a group of his PCB design students to absorb it all.

This event model has proven successful over the years, and show organizers added a fall show in 2022 in Anaheim, California, which takes place Oct. 2–3 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Like the Del Mar event, everything is free to the attendees, including parking.