Free Technical Programs and Activities at IPC APEX EXPO Provide Solutions to Critical Industry Challenges

Renowned for the industry’s premier technical conference and courses, IPC APEX EXPO® also includes ample opportunities to learn about industry issues and find solutions free of charge. Exhibits-only registration to IPC APEX EXPO is free to individuals who register in advance and includes access to: inspiring and informative keynote sessions; BUZZ sessions covering key industry topics; the NPL Process Defect Clinic; free special events; and the largest exhibition in North America for printed board design and manufacturing, electronics assembly and test. IPC APEX EXPO will take place February 28–March 1, 2012, at the San Diego Convention Center.

Hollywood icon William Shatner will open the show on Tuesday with an entertaining and inspiring keynote address on his true life mission to explore “strange new worlds” and “seek out new life.” Wednesday’s keynote will host a distinguished panel of experts who will provide unique insights into future game changers in the industry.

BUZZ sessions, February 28-March 1, will cover critical industry topics such as process defects; embedded technologies; conflict minerals; supply line issues of obsolescence, quality and compliance of parts and counterfeit parts; breaking research from academia; the industry’s first solar standard for electronics assemblies; and the just-released IPC International Technology Roadmap.

On February 28, the IPC Government Relations committee will hold an open forum to provide an update on IPC’s advocacy efforts to protect printed circuit board designs for military products under ITAR and offer the latest information on the impending conflict minerals regulation.

On the show floor, attendees will be able to get free, unbiased help with their process-related issues at the NPL Defect Database Clinic. In addition, participants can visit the New Product Zone for a sneak preview of the equipment, materials and services that are breaking new ground in the industry, and then go to cheer on the competitors in the IPC APEX EXPO Hand Soldering Competition and IPC Grand Championship.

The show offers myriad opportunities to network with industry peers and make new contacts from around the world including the International Reception, the First-Timers’ Breakfast, the Women in Electronics Networking Meeting and the expanded Show Floor Reception on Wednesday afternoon.

Featuring more than 400 exhibitors and offering a new focus on printed electronics, the exhibit hall provides an unparalleled venue to shop and compare the newest technologies and services. Visit www.IPCAPEXEXPO.org/exhibitors for a complete list of exhibitors.

To register or for more information on all the activities at IPC APEX EXPO, including the technical conference, standards development meetings and professional development courses, visit www.IPCAPEXEXPO.org.

IPC (www.IPC.org) is a global trade association based in Bannockburn, Ill., dedicated to the competitive excellence and financial success of its 3,100 member companies which represent all facets of the electronics industry, including design, printed board manufacturing, electronics assembly and test. As a member-driven organization and leading source for industry standards, training, market research and public policy advocacy, IPC supports programs to meet the needs of an estimated $2.02 trillion global electronics industry. IPC maintains additional offices in Taos, N.M.; Arlington, Va.; Stockholm, Sweden; Moscow, Russia; Bangalore, India; and Shanghai, Shenzhen and Beijing, China.