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One World, One Industry: IPC APEX EXPO 2025 Marks a Special Anniversary Year

This year marks the 25th anniversary of IPC APEX EXPO and IPC is thrilled to celebrate this event milestone with attendees, exhibitors, and presenters. Their dedication to and involvement in IPC APEX EXPO is directly responsible for its success and their efforts clearly illustrate how the entire electronics manufacturing industry comes together to “Reimagine the Possibilities of Electronics” (our theme for this year). This is the place to be to create new business relationships and opportunities and to enjoy this vibrant, ever-evolving industry.

Not only are we celebrating 25 years of a successful trade show, but for the past two decades, the Trade Show News Network (TSNN) has recognized IPC APEX EXPO as a top U.S. trade show. It’s a tremendous accomplishment for IPC, and we are very proud of the recognition. For the past several years, IPC APEX EXPO has experienced both attendance and net-square-footage growth. Last year, the show welcomed more than 7,200 professionals from 57 countries. We’re looking forward to an even larger crowd this year.

Here's what’s new in 2025:

• Learning Lounge: The Learning Lounge is a new area on the show floor and is geared toward adding value to the attendee experience. These free sessions provide curated content covering the many facets of the electronics industry. Sessions will include topics presented by subject matter industry experts: developing effective training; building regional workforce ecosystems; the reliability and limitations of using vintage IPC test methods (such as ROSE) in the context of new and emerging technologies; PCB design, fabrication, assembly, and manufacturing; and mathematical calculations and considerations necessary to achieve a 75% hole fill in electronic components.
• Special Conference Sessions: Two special conference sessions will be offered on Thursday, March 20. “Advanced Packaging for High Performance Computing and AI/Data Center Applications” will be offered in the morning and will include insights into next-generation packaging solutions for high performance computing. In the afternoon, “Advanced Packaging for EV Power Electronics” will explore innovative design methodologies that enhance reliability under extreme conditions, alongside advancements in materials science that improve durability and performance.
• Three Keynotes to Educate and Entertain: From AI, automation, digital transformation and the impact of 3D integration on system performance and assembly to electronics as a resource transforming the global economy, our keynote presentations will inspire their audiences to think deeply and leave with fresh insights ready to implement.

Here are just a few additional highlights of the IPC APEX EXPO 2025 experience:

• View cutting-edge products and services in the New Products Corridor and get a sneak preview of tomorrow’s equipment, materials, and services that are breaking new ground in our industry.
• Find out what more than 400 of the industry’s top innovators and suppliers have to offer on the show floor.
• Participate in our Technical Conference to discover the latest research and studies in the areas of design, board fabrication, and electronics assembly.
• Attend standards development committee meetings: Your input is critical to the development of IPC standards.
• Offering something for everyone, from informative classes for engineers ready to level up in their careers to advanced classes, this year’s Professional Development Courses will help you build your knowledge and enrich your career.
• Take in a multitude of networking activities, from the newcomer's reception and ribbon-cutting ceremony to the ice cream social on the show floor.

This year, you’ll be inspired to take the ideas and innovations you encounter onsite and turn them into real-world solutions and business opportunities. Your attendance is an investment in your company’s future success. We’re looking forward to seeing you at IPC APEX EXPO 2025.

This column originally appeared in the February 2025 issue of PCB007 Magazine.