Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1091269
72 PCB007 MAGAZINE I MARCH 2019 ing. According to their website, an active IPC Designers Council chapter consists of a mini- mum of 12 designers and meets at least four times per year. Structure of the meetings will vary, but most chapters focus on technical ed- ucation and networking activities. Also, most chapters host roundtable discussions, facility tours, and presentations on hot topics in the PCB design world, including DFM, EMI, RFI, high-speed design, ultra-fine pitch design, etc. Some chapters have formed designer certifica- tion study groups to help prepare their mem- bers for the PCB designer certification exam. To find information on local chapters, click here. SMTA SMTA is a global organization working at the local level. An excerpt from their website states, "For electronics engineering and manu- facturing professionals seeking to improve pro- cesses through best practices and real-world solutions, SMTA offers exclusive access to lo- cal and global communities of experts as well as accumulated research and training materi- als from thousands of companies dedicated to advancing the electronics industry." SMTA hosts several large expos and events and is also very active with smaller, local programs. Local chapters host smaller expos with techni- cal information and opportunities to interact with the supply base. Throughout the year, lo- cal chapters host chapter meetings geared to toward technical training and facility tours. These are excellent opportunities to meet new people with similar interests. To learn more, visit smta.org. Summary Overall, while the world of connected devic- es is fun, new, exciting, and without a doubt is going to change the way we do business, I hope this column serves as a reminder that building personal connections with each other is something that will never be obsolete or out- dated. I regularly reach out to people I know when I need help answering a question, usu- ally after I have tried an internet search first; in turn, I am regularly asked for advice. Knowing people with expertise in other areas has been invaluable. I issued a challenge above for those of us in the electronics industry to get out to events that facilitate meeting new people and a challenge for industry associations to make that even easier for us to do. Do you accept the challenge? If so, I would love to hear your comments and experiences. PCB007 Tara Dunn is the president of Omni PCB, a manufacturer's rep firm specializing in the printed circuit board industry. To read past columns or contact Dunn, click here. Roger Massey, technical marketing man- ager at Atotech, and Technical Editor Pete Starkey discuss the challenges technolo- gists face as circuit lines and spaces get smaller and smaller, and the latest develop- ments in metallization chemistries to help customers address these issues. Click image to watch the interview. RTW IPC APEX EXPO 2019: Atotech Discusses Developments in Metallization Chemistries