-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- pcb007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueThe Growing Industry
In this issue of PCB007 Magazine, we talk with leading economic experts, advocacy specialists in Washington, D.C., and PCB company leadership to get a well-rounded picture of what’s happening in the industry today. Don’t miss it.
The Sustainability Issue
Sustainability is one of the most widely used terms in business today, especially for electronics and manufacturing but what does it mean to you? We explore the environmental, business, and economic impacts.
The Fabricator’s Guide to IPC APEX EXPO
This issue previews many of the important events taking place at this year's show and highlights some changes and opportunities. So, buckle up. We are counting down to IPC APEX EXPO 2024.
- Articles
Article Highlights
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Events
||| MENU - pcb007 Magazine
My Thoughts From the Virtual Show
April 11, 2021 | Patty Goldman, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Gosh, I sure missed the live event.
I listened in on several technical sessions, the awards ceremony, the keynotes, and the Hall of Fame management session. I tried a couple of professional development courses but got the frownie face on my screen and didn’t go back in. I have almost 90 days(!) to browse them to my heart’s content, so what the heck.
There were good points and a few not so good things about this first ever virtual conference. You probably experienced some yourself.
The management session was outstanding. HoF’er Gene Weiner almost single-handedly put together a fabulous lineup of speakers from both large and small companies. Most of the talks were prerecorded but the Q&A was live. The big advantage: no trouble getting speakers who were too far away or couldn’t spare the time—they just had to put together a talk, record it, and then be available at a specific time for the Q&A. No hours or cost spent traveling. The main downside I saw was that this was the first session of the week and there were a few technical glitches—mostly on my end. But then, I can go back and see them all again, so I’m not too upset.
The quality of the papers and speakers in the technical sessions was very good. Some people had chosen to prerecord their talk while others were live. The advantage of pre-recording was no risk of the speaker losing connection during their talk. Otherwise, not a lot of difference. Everyone was live and visible for the Q&A at the end of their talk. There seemed to be plenty of good questions and discussion—questions sent in via chat box and discussion between moderator and speaker. It worked.
The neat thing about the awards ceremony was that all the awardees had a moment in the sun, so to speak, via recorded comments (usu-ally this was limited to just the Hall of Fame and corporate awardees). Unlike most years, everyone attending any part of the conference/show could watch this. Usually, the awards are presented at luncheons that must be purchased. Which of course was the sad part for me—no luncheon! No sitting with a group of people that you may or not know and discussing the morning’s sessions or committees or what have you.
Which brings me to my big disappointment of APEX EXPO 2021: no people! No seeing your industry friends, no catching up on a year’s worth of happenings, no discussions, no hugs, no smiles. Our industry and IPC are, for sure, all about the people and there was just no way to actually talk to anyone. No one’s fault, just made it rather lonely. IPC meetings are always a recharge time for me.
On Thursday afternoon, I thought to “walk” the show floor, see what was there… Well, of course there were no booths, just small web-sites. No faces, no names, just products. No way to walk down the aisle for an ice cream and never get there because you stop and talk to 10 people and end up going in another direction. No way to catch up with old colleagues, say hi, see who is working where now. I would have loved it if the websites had shown a photo of the company booth from years past, or some faces and names. Who is on the other end of the “chat” anyhow? Can I tell them to say “hi” to so and so, and ask how business is going?
All in all, virtual had a big advantage in an excellent program, including the keynotes (see Pete Starkey’s review) along with the full 90 days to revisit and review the technical sessions, absorb all the info, submit additional questions, etc.
How much has this conference changed the way it will be structured from now on? Time will tell, but I think recording the tech sessions and the 90-day review window are definite keepers. I think having the virtual show in addition to live could work and help bring in more people who cannot spare the time or cost to attend. But I’m sure I’m not alone in missing the live, energizing event that IPC APEX EXPO has always been. Looking forward to San Diego next year!
This article originally appeared in the 2021 issue of Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO Show & Tell Magazine.
Suggested Items
Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2024: A Conversation with IPC's CEO: New Venue, Sustainability, and More
04/23/2024 | Real Time with...IPCBarry Matties hosts Dr. John W. Mitchell, CEO of IPC, on the final day of IPC APEX EXPO 2024. They discuss the new venue in Anaheim and broach a range of topics, from traffic and booth experiences to workforce development, sustainability, and the CHIPS Act. And they offer advice for newcomers as IPC looks forward to an even better show experience next year.
Janene Stinson, Boeing, Earns IPC Excellence in Education Award at IPC APEX EXPO 2024
04/22/2024 | IPCThe IPC Excellence in Education award was presented to Janene Stinson, Boeing, at IPC APEX EXPO 2024 in Anaheim, California, in recognition of her significant contributions to workforce development and leadership.
What’s Next Becomes Now at IPC APEX EXPO 2024
04/22/2024 | IPCFrom revolutionary advancements in artificial intelligence, augmented reality and the latest innovations in capital equipment on the show floor to a heightened learner experience through the 16th Electronic Circuits World Convention (ECWC16) technical conference, IPC APEX EXPO 2024 provided education, professional development and numerous networking opportunities, for 3,723 attendees from 57 countries.
Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Looking Back, Looking Forward With IEC
04/19/2024 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOIEC came to the RTW booth and discussed both the legacy of IEC's past and the vision for its future. Industry veteran Bruno Ferri highlighted his quarter-century tenure in the industry and with IEC since its founding. He still exhibits boundless enthusiasm for the industry. Brando Stone, a young professional and a future face of IEC, talked about IEC's plans going forward and his experience at this year's IPC APEX EXPO.
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
04/19/2024 | Marcy LaRont, PCB007 MagazineFor my must-read picks of the week, I’m highlighting Parker Capers, a young professional seeking employment, solid counsel from Dan Beaulieu on what your post-show plan should look like, more information and insight on “chiplets” and the need for secure data transfer standards from columnist Preeya Kuray, as well as Matt Stevenson’s design for reality wisdom. It’s a reminder to download one of our newest books (there are several) you don't want to miss if you are an assembler.