Defense Speak Interpreted: Is There Still a CHIPS Act?
Beyond the Board: Empowering the Next Generation of Tech Innovators in Electronics
The Government Circuit: Trump’s Trade War Disrupts the Electronics Ecosystem
DesignCon 2025: Looking Great at 30
January 30, 2025 | Andy Shaughnessy, Design007Estimated reading time: 1 minute
DesignCon may be turning 30 this year, but the Silicon Valley staple doesn’t look a day over 25. Attendees turned out for this celebratory bash, many of them reminiscing about their first DesignCon event 20 or 30 years ago.
The Tuesday night welcome reception was basically a 30th birthday bash, sponsored by Mouser. Show managers went all out, with strobe lights and a DJ blasting a mix of old and new dance tunes. That was fitting, because I spoke with engineers from ages 21 to 81 at DesignCon this year. Nice to see more younger folks each year.
On Wednesday morning, NVIDIA’s John Linford gave a keynote presentation to a packed room, with attendees standing on the stairs, along the back wall, and anywhere they could find a spot in the Elizabeth A. Hangs auditorium. “The Transformative Power of Accelerated Computing and AI” focused on the many innovations possible with AI, now and in the near future. He showed an example of design modeling of an automobile’s aerodynamic “fluid flow” in a virtual wind tunnel, which can now leverage real-life data. The digital twin is becoming mainstream.
Traffic on the show floor stayed busy for most of Wednesday. This year’s event seemed to be at least as busy as last year’s, which was the biggest show since the days before COVID. Show mascot Chiphead posed for photos throughout the day.
AI was the topic all over the conference and the expo hall, from manufacturing and supply chain optimization to EDA tools. JITX founder Duncan Haldane describes the company’s tools as “code-based AI-driven” design software, and he cites the acceleration of design cycles up to 30x. AI is definitely here to stay.
Let’s all wish DesignCon a happy birthday, and raise a toast to 30 more years as Silicon Valley’s destination for electronics desginers.
Marcy LaRont, managing editor of PCB007 Magazine, wrote a review of the keynote address and some technical sessions. Read the review here.
Share on:
Suggested Items
Dan’s Biz Bookshelf: 'This Is Strategy: Make Better Plans'
06/05/2025 | Dan Beaulieu -- Column: Dan's Biz BookshelfWhen it comes to strategy, few names resonate like Seth Godin. For decades, Godin has been a mentor to me—shaping the way I think about leadership, planning, and execution. His latest book, "This Is Strategy: Make Better Plans," reinforces why he’s a beacon for anyone navigating the murky waters of business strategy. As always, Godin challenges the status quo.
CIMS to Exhibit at JPCA Show 2025
05/28/2025 | CIMSCIMS is excited to announce our participation at JPCA 2025 in Tokyo, Japan! Join us from June 4-6.
Harnessing Connections: EWPTE 2025 Draws Nearly 3,000 Attendees
05/19/2025 | IPCThe 2025 Electrical Wire Processing Technology Expo (EWPTE), held May 6-8 at Baird Center in Milwaukee, Wis., provided 2,994 attendees the opportunity to meet, network and learn from the industry leading innovators and suppliers.
Electronics Industry Reimagines the Possibilities at IPC APEX EXPO 2025
04/07/2025 | IPCThe electronics industry is driven by innovators and problem-solvers, and IPC APEX EXPO 2025 provided endless opportunities to connect, collaborate, and shape the future.
IPC APEX EXPO 2025: We’ve Got It Covered
04/01/2025 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamIPC APEX EXPO is the largest electronics manufacturing trade show in North America, bringing together professionals from all sectors of the supply chain to educate, network, and share their products and services. We’ve put all our coverage of the show in one easy-to-find location. Just click on “Videos,” “Show Coverage” and “Photos” to find what you’re looking for. Check back regularly as more content is added. You won’t want to miss any of our unique coverage.