Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1480758
8 SMT007 MAGAZINE I OCTOBER 2022 Nolan's Notes by Nolan Johnson, I-CONNECT007 Have Passport, Will Travel Technical conferences, expos, symposia, and trade gatherings of all kinds are back and in a big way. Maybe it's just because we've been quiet for a while, followed by a year of careful, tentative restarts to the event schedules, but this year's calendar of events seems to be full steam ahead. I'm excited to get back into the convention centers and hotel ballrooms; that is where some of our best reporting orig- inates. at comes at a price, however, as my travel sched- ule look s pretty br utal in the com- i ng m o n t h s . Ju s t between you and me, while it may f e e l b r u ta l to my workload, I'm ready to dust off my pass- port, see some air- ports, and wear thin some shoe leather. I certainly hope that you feel similarly. us, one of the best places to get back into the swing is SMTA International (SMTAI), tak- ing place Oct. 31-Nov. 3 in Minneapolis, Min- nesota. e event is co-located with the four other shows that comprise the MD&M show. SMTA is an international network of profes- sionals who build skills, share practical experi- ence, and develop solutions in electronics man- ufacturing, including microsystems, emerging technologies, and related business operations 1 . e other four shows include: MinnPack, for packaging solutions; ATX, for automation and robotics; D&M, for design and molding te c h n o l o g i e s ; a n d Plastec, for plastics applications. All co- located along with SMTA, this event provides a wide range of potential solutions and connections for EMS specialists. B e s i d e s p r o v i d - ing an e x p o f lo or showcasing what's new in the market, SMTA I also deliv- ers one of the stron- gest technical confer- ences in the electron- ics manufacturing space. We feel so strongly that attendance at the show is just what our industry needs, we're devoting this issue of SMT007 Magazine to preshow coverage. One of our goals with this issue is to give attendees and exhibitors a field guide for the event, and perhaps just the impetus you need to attend. So, if you—or perhaps your supervisor—need