Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1114420
58 DESIGN007 MAGAZINE I MAY 2019 our quarterly meetings. We average 50–65 at- tendees at our meetings, and occasionally have 80+ people in attendance. So, what's so special about the Orange Coun- ty Chapter? For starters, we're fortunate that a large number of electronics companies are lo- cated in Southern California, so there are many PCB designers in our area who are thirsty for knowledge. We are also lucky to have many local PCB fabrication and assembly compa- nies from which we draw attendees and speak- ers. All of the major CAE vendors have offic- es and technical field personnel here and have been very supportive of our chapter in hosting lunches to help us keep our costs down. Another factor in our success is our timing. We hold "lunch 'n learn" events (Figure 1). It's much easier to draw a crowd for a long edu- cational lunch when the traffic is lighter rath- er than holding meetings after working hours when rush hour is a nightmare. It can also be easier to tell your boss you're taking a long Spotlight on the Orange County Chapter This month's column highlights the Orange County Chapter, which is the largest IPC De- signers Council (DC) chapter and one of the most active and thriving. Scott McCurdy, Or- ange County Chapter president, describes the successful format the chapter follows to reach local designers and PCB professionals. You'll also find an update from the IPC DC Executive Board as their collaboration with the new IPC Education Foundation continues. Chapter Spotlight by Scott McCurdy ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER PRESIDENT The IPC Designers Coun- cil is alive and well in South- ern California. The Orange County Chapter has been active since long be- fore I took over as president in 2003 nearly 16 years ago. We are proudly the largest active chapter in existence based on the attendance at The Digital Layout by Stephen Chavez, CIT, CID/CID+, IPC DESIGNERS COUNCIL Figure 1: Orange County Chapter "lunch 'n learn" event.