I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

When I first started covering trade shows for I-Connect007 about six years ago, my calendar would see me attending shows 13 of the 23 weeks over the winter, from September to March. We would travel up and down the West Coast, over to Europe, and some of us trekked to China as well. Then the pandemic and lockdowns happened, and that seems to have permanently inverted the schedule. Now the season starts in March and concludes in September. I’m still not sure whether this new show season is an improvement, to be honest.

I bring this up because in my picks for the week, trade shows are heavily mentioned. Which makes sense, because we’re already launched into a new and important trade show season. From Brittany Martin’s invaluable tips for making the most of your marketing efforts, to SMTA’s new scholarship, there’s a lot of information to be had. I hope you read it the first time around, but if not, it’s worth checking out. Share it with your colleagues. Let’s get this news out there.

The Marketing Minute: Trade Shows—The Investment That Keeps on Giving
Published February 19

I-Connect007 Marketing Manager Brittany Martin pulls her readers in with this opening statement, “In the electronics industry, trade shows are marketing goldmines that can supercharge your brand—before, during, and long after the event ends. It’s more than just showing up; it’s about showing off (strategically, of course).” She then details best practices before, during, and after the show with a great example of how trade show marketing has made a big different for one company. It’s a must read and a fresh perspective. Don’t miss it.

A Fresh Perspective: Checking in With IPC Student Board Member Waad Tarman
Published February 17

Waad Tarman is the current IPC Student Board Member and incoming president of the IPC Student Chapter at Auburn University. She has an impressive background as a second-year Ph.D. student and dedicated research assistant at Auburn University’s Electronics Manufacturing and Reliability Laboratory within the Industrial and Systems Engineering Department. Charlene Gunter du Plessis, IPC Education Foundation director, interviews Waad about her role on the IPC Student Board, and Waad is insightful and articulate in her views. I highly recommend this read.

I-Connect007 Welcomes New Milaero Columnist Jesse Vaughan
Published February 18

If you don’t already know Jesse Vaughan, he is a third-generation PCB technologist and our newest columnist. His column, “Beyond the Board,” will delve into market and industry trends, workforce engagement, and processes and technology roadmaps. He’s a wealth of knowledge and worth a careful read. His column starts next week in our Milaero Newsletter.

PCB Designers of the Future—and Their Software Tools
Published February 14

At DesignCon, Andy Shaughnessy asked David Wiens, product marketing manager at Siemens, to share his thoughts on the continuing evolution of PCB design and PCB designers, and how EDA software companies can help designers meet the technological requirements of tomorrow. Spoiler alert: Wiens mentions signal integrity and simulation tools almost immediately. Find out what he had to say.

SMTA Provides Financial and Mentorship Support for Students of Manufacturing
Published February 17

The shortage of skilled workers in the electronics manufacturing is one of today’s most pressing issues. Marcy LaRont recently spoke with Saniya Pilgaonkar, manager of SMTA membership services, who provided information on not one, but two SMTA scholarships/grants. Whether it’s for you, a friend or relative, or a coworker, read through what Saniya has to share and refer folks.