Oct 12, 2014 SMTA International Conference and Exhibition, which took place September 28 – October 2, 2014 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL, experienced a 20% increase in registration year over year, coming in at over 1,600 and a 30% increase in on-site attendance compared to 2013. The move to Rosemont was verbally reinforced as a positive by many attendees on-site. International attendance was comparable to last year with attendees representing 21 different countries.
The technical conference continued the tradition of being the strongest in the electronics assembly industry. The Evolving Technologies Summit at the beginning of the week received much praise as it covered key technologies such as Embedded Technology, 3D Printing, and Nano Fillers. A crowd filled the Opening Keynote Session until it was standing-room-only on Tuesday morning to hear Cisco Vice President, Jeff Gallinat, give an impressive overview of the Internet of Everything. The Lead-Free Soldering Technology Symposium kept the meeting room packed until the very end of the conference.
Over 160 exhibiting companies filled the sold-out exhibit hall. Traffic was consistently higher this year. A big attraction for attendees was the new Tech Tours program which featured distinguished tour guides leading groups of 15-30 attendees to exhibiting companies demonstrating inspection and rework systems or placement equipment. Local students from FIRST Robotics and 4-H Extension teams delivered exciting demonstrations of their robots for delighted attendees.
Over 400 people attended the SMTA’s 30th Anniversary Party at the Hofbräuhaus on Tuesday evening. The party featured tasty German food, traditional dancing, a stein-holding competition, and many unforgettable moments.
Next year the SMTA International Conference and Exhibition will be held September 27 - October 1, 2015 at the Donald Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL. The IPC Fall Standards Development Committee Meetings will again be co-located.
For more information on SMTA International please contact SMTA administrator JoAnn Stromberg: joann@smta.org or 952-920-7682 or visit http://www.smta.org/smtai/.
The SMTA membership is an international network of professionals who build skills, share practical experience and develop solutions in electronic assembly technologies, including microsystems, emerging technologies, and related business operations.
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