American Made Advocacy: Rebuilding America’s Military Stockpiles Begins With Microelectronics
The Right Approach: The End of an Era—DoD Proposes MIL-PRF-31032 Cancellation
Defense Speak Interpreted: Hypersonics Report Back After Six Years of Silence
EMS Leadership Summit: A Smarter Way to Gather EMS Leaders
February 11, 2026 | Nolan Johnson, SMT007 MagazineEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Mark Wolfe is a career EMS and electronics expert, whose leadership has helped expand and improve the EMS Leadership Summit at APEX EXPO. Last year’s event received a huge approval rating from attendees: a whopping 96% said they’d be back. Not content to rest on those laurels, Mark and his team have put together a program that preserves the Summit’s strengths while finding ways to improve. In this interview, Mark makes a strong argument why EMS leadership at all levels should take a day to examine the wider picture of our industry.
More information and registration can be found here.
Mark, what is the theme for this year’s EMS Leadership Summit?
Mark Wolfe: Our advertised theme is “Shaping the Future of Electronics Manufacturing.” We are emphasizing how AI can be applied in the EMS world today but in a much more practical sense than we did last year. The presentations will include an emphasis on how AI impacts the future workforce as well as conversations around what is required to be “AI ready.” We also want to continue to expand.
Who should plan to attend the Summit?
Historically, this was an “executive only” event, but several years ago we promoted it as an opportunity to expose the next generation of leaders, especially given ongoing concerns about attracting and developing new talent in the industry. We encourage EMS companies of any size to bring their current and future leaders to this event. Last year, we had 57 industry leaders from 38 companies in attendance. In other words, more companies are bringing multiple leaders.
A whopping 96% of the surveys told us they would definitely attend again and recommend the event to others. Overall, we have grown the attendance by at least 20% each of the last three to four years and the company level “retention rate” has been around 60%, which is outstanding in this busy world. This is one of the main metrics I watch to tell us whether the content is valued. I really hope to see at least the same level of growth and retention this coming March as well.
To continue reading this inteview, which originally appeared in the February 2026 edition of SMT007 Magazine, click here.
Share on:
Testimonial
"In a year when every marketing dollar mattered, I chose to keep I-Connect007 in our 2025 plan. Their commitment to high-quality, insightful content aligns with Koh Young’s values and helps readers navigate a changing industry. "
Brent Fischthal - Koh YoungSuggested Items
Hon Hai, Mitsubishi Electric Exploring Automotive Equipment Business in MOU
04/29/2026 | Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd. (Foxconn) and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore a strategic alliance through joint operation of the automotive equipment business.
JAVAD EMS to Add New ESPEC Temperature Chamber to Support Growing Mil/Aero Work
04/28/2026 | JAVAD EMSJAVAD EMS (JEMS), a leading global EMS company that provides low to medium volume, high-mix applications, has ordered a new ESPEC EGNZ28-15NW temperature cycling chamber to expand its environmental testing capabilities as demand continues to grow in the military and aerospace sectors.
ICTC Adds Parylene Coating Capability with New KR850L System
04/28/2026 | ICTCInterconnect Cable Technologies Corporation (ICTC), a global contract manufacturer, has added in-house parylene coating capability with the installation of a new KR850L system, expanding its value-added services and giving customers a more streamlined path from build to protection.
Skoltech Team Develops Modulator for Compact Photonic Integrated Circuits
04/28/2026 | SkoltechResearchers at Skoltech have developed an ultra-compact electro-optic modulator based on silicon photonics and plasmonics that enables high-efficiency optical signal control within a small device footprint.
American Made Advocacy: Rebuilding America’s Military Stockpiles Begins With Microelectronics
04/28/2026 | Shane Whiteside -- Column: American Made AdvocacyCurrent world events demonstrate the fragility of long-distance supply chains transiting multiple zones of conflict. The U.S. military is currently drawing down supplies of key munitions and other electronic systems at unprecedented rates.1Every one of those systems is powered by printed circuit boards. The American PCB industry has kept pace with peacetime demand for the defense industry, but will now be called upon to increase production to a wartime footing at rates not seen in decades.