AEMS: Third Time’s the Charm

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

You’ve probably heard of the Del Mar Electronics & Manufacturing Show (DMEMS). Since 1995, PCB design and manufacturing technologists have flocked to this seminal event at the Del Mar Fairgrounds near San Diego. Originally a regional show, Del Mar has grown yearly and attracts an outsized group of attendees and exhibitors. So, event founder Doug Bodenstab took his vision northward and launched the Anaheim Electronics & Manufacturing Show (AEMS). 

On Wednesday, Oct. 2, AEMS kicked off its third year at the Anaheim Convention Center. The weather was perfect, and attendees were lined up early. Aisle traffic was steady for much of the two-day expo. AEMS manager Connor Good, Doug’s son-in-law, noted that attendance was even better than last year, and the numbers keep increasing. AEMS boasts free attendance and free parking—premium perks in a place like Anaheim. I imagine AEMS attracts some attendees from Los Angeles who don’t want to drive all the way to the Del Mar show.

AEMS exhibitors were mainly from the supply chain side; only a few PCB fabricators exhibited. I noted a number of parts and component companies and their distributors, many of them in the military and aerospace sectors. DigiKey was one of the main sponsors, and they provided pizza and beer for the party on Wednesday afternoon.

Conference sessions took place just off the show floor, including three classes led by our columnist John Watson, a professor at Palomar College. In two sessions, John and I-Connect007 columnist Matt Stevenson of ASC Sunstone discussed Matt’s book, The Printed Circuit Designer’s Guide to… Designing for Reality as well as another book from his company, The Printed Circuit Designer’s Guide to DFM Essentials. These informal sessions included a lot of back-and-forth chatting as the pair fielded various questions from PCB designers about designing for reality and DFM, in general.

In another session, John discussed his 32-week course that takes a student from zero knowledge to a trained PCB designer ready to start work. Some of his current and past students discussed how John’s class changed their lives. Jon Smith explained how he went from pipefitter to a working PCB designer in less than a year. Jon said pipefitting left him sore and tired every day. His mood has improved to the point that his mother even called John to thank him for making her son a happier person. 

Everyone I met had a positive outlook about their business and the industry. Many people said their companies are hiring. One recent grad said he just started working in the industry and his boss said, “Go to this show and pay attention.” It’s great to see young people in this industry—we definitely need them.

Doug and Connor say they’re planning to grow AEMS each year and are eager for feedback from attendees and exhibitors alike. I get the feeling that they discuss Del Mar and AEMS at the dinner table—it really is a family affair.