The Pan-European Design Conference has quickly established itself as a premier event for the European electronics design community. Now in its third year, PEDC, set for Jan. 27-28, 2027, in Amsterdam, has already attracted a record number of technical paper submissions.
In this interview, Susan Kayesar, a product manager at Siemens who is an active participant in IPC design standards, discusses the upcoming conference and the trends driving its continued growth.
Marcy LaRont: Susan, it’s always good to catch up with you. Can you start with some background on how PEDC got started?
Susan Kayesar: European professionals face standards, customer requirements, and industry challenges that are distinct to the region. Many do not have the budget to attend conferences in the United States, and there was no dedicated forum where they could participate in a strong technical program while networking with peers. Before PEDC, the Global Electronics Association hosted Wintercom, an event focused primarily on standards. The final Wintercom took place in Barcelona in 2023.
The Association now co-hosts PEDC with FED. It was created to bring together a broader cross-section of European professionals and draw on their expertise across disciplines, and was intentionally designed as a pan-European event that would also engage people who might not attend the German-language conference hosted by FED. Our first two events were held in Vienna and Prague, and this year we are moving to Amsterdam. The conference offers an excellent opportunity for European professionals across our industry, and the response has been very positive. PEDC has grown significantly since its inaugural event in 2024.
LaRont: What is the intent of PEDC? What can attendees expect?
Kayesar: PEDC is designed as a technical deep dive into the challenges shaping Europe’s electronics industry. The program explores innovation and new product design, along with the legislative, regulatory, and geopolitical issues affecting the industry, particularly where those challenges are unique to Europe.
We intentionally keep the conference non-commercial and firmly focused on technical content. We are strict about this so attendees can engage in meaningful discussions without being continually subjected to sales pitches. Sessions center on ideas, solutions, trends, and issues relevant to the European community, with the goal of maintaining an academic tone.
Networking is an equally important aspect at PEDC, and it offers distinctive value by connecting professionals from across Europe.
To continue reading this article, which appeared in the September 2026 edition of I-Connect007 Magazine, click here.
