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Nolan’s Notes: Five Key Changes to APEX EXPO

This month, we devote our issue of SMT007 Magazine to previewing the upcoming APEX EXPO, March 16–20, in Anaheim, California. APEX EXPO stays in Anaheim until 2029, so, geographically, things are stable, but topically, changes are afoot. Here are five ways the trade show is changing for the better this year.

1. A Year of Rebranding

First, you’ll notice the subtle name change: IPC was rebranded in 2025 as the Global Electronics Association, even updating from ipc.org to electronics.org, so “IPC” has been dropped from the name of the event. IPC still continues as the brand for standards and publications related to standards. Some might say it takes the IPC brand back to its roots, allowing the industry association that grew up around standards to adopt its own identity.  

2. Additions to the Show

Show organizers took a step back and looked at what could enrich the trade show on a more technical level. You’ll see new programs on the show floor this year, among them the Technology Pavilion, Design Village, and an expanded Learning Lounge. The Technology Pavilion, for example, provides an opportunity for informative presentations—which might not have all the necessary data to be an approved technical paper—to still have value for attendees.

3. Forward-facing Standards Development

Standards committee work is the DNA of this event. The technical conference and expo are later additions to the annual committee conference. But just as those portions of the event are shifting, so is the standards program.

Sharp-eyed observers will notice a slight evolution in how the Association initiates standards work, for example. In the early days, standards documented the customary practices of the day, meaning they were generally backward-facing. In recent years, that focus has steadily shifted to address emerging technologies, seemingly taking a lesson from NHL hockey great Wayne Gretzky: They’re skating to where the puck will be, rather than where it is. We see that trend in CFX, wearables, EVs, and, most recently, advanced electronic packaging. All this means that standards are increasingly contemporary, making them even more valuable.

4. An Enhanced Technical Conference

I’m very excited about the profound changes to this year’s technical conference, now renamed the Advanced Electronic Packaging Conference. Its curation has become much more focused and rigorous than in years past. The quality of the papers is trending up and this year, the Technical Program Committee (TPC) specifically targeted topics related to advanced electronic packaging. This is actually a very big deal.

By consciously steering toward advanced electronic packaging topics, the Association intends to drive the conversation to how this technology fits into the PCB manufacturing world before it arrives in full force. This is where semiconductor and printed circuits converge. I believe the TPC is laser focused on making sure that we as an industry transition to these technologies gracefully. Advanced electronic packaging technologies are either in our product portfolio or included in the work we do, sooner than we might think.

We talked to Udo Wetzel and Stan Rak, TPC co-chairs, along with the Association’s Matt Kelly and Devan Iyer, who provided insights into all the changes to the technical conference in 2026.

5. Innovations and Surprises

One of the things we enjoy most about being at APEX EXPO is our opportunity to interact with the wide mix of people who attend. Whether you sit in front of our cameras for an interview, or we’re talking to you in the busy aisles of the show, you’re sharing innovations and surprises about what’s happening in the world of electronics manufacturing. To see all our coverage, including sponsorships, video interviews, articles, and photos, visit realtimewith.com.

Rounding out our content in this issue are details for the keynotes, programs, and other events during this busy week. We talked in depth with the Association’s standards development team, headed by Teresa Rowe, about the importance of their work. Mark Wolfe discusses the EMS Leadership Summit, painting a clear picture of why and how this one-day meeting can inform and influence your strategic plans. Emily Daley reflects on a year of serves as the Student Board Member, and you’ll get insights into how the East Asia, India, and Mexico offices will be represented at APEX EXPO.

We’ll see you at APEX EXPO. Be sure to stop by Booth 3510 and say hello.

This column originally appeared in the February 2026 issue of SMT007 Magazine.