Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1210212
38 DESIGN007 MAGAZINE I FEBRUARY 2020 the product development process. In addition to these disciplines, printed circuit engineers must have an understanding of compliance and field service requirements of each product. The PCEA is structured to meet the challenges we face today and take on the challenges that are coming for printed circuit engineers. The PCEA's Mission The PCEA's mission is to promote printed circuit engineering as a profession and encour- age, facilitate, and promote the exchange of in- formation with the integration of new design concepts through communication, education, seminars, workshops, and professional certi- fication through a network of local, regional, and international PCEA-affiliated consortiums. We're seeking to provide a constructive, pro- fessional environment working with all other industry organizations. Since our inception, we have been achieving great industry acceptance. We have received endorsements from professionals across the electronics industry. In the coming months, we will expand the number of affiliates while re- alizing a steady growth of our membership. If you're interested in joining or starting an affili- ated consortium in your area, please feel free to participate and join the many professionals who are the backbone of our industry. You can join us by visiting our website (pce-a.org) and contacting us for more information. Action Items Here are our Q1 2020 action items. 1. Continuing to develop our website (pce-a.org) 2. Elect an executive board to care for the oversight of the association 3. Expand the content of our current communication vehicles 4. Assist in the formation of new, regional affiliate groups 5. Establish a working relationship with other associations, such as IPC, SMTA, and IEEE Professional Development and Events Here are some up-and-coming industry events to look out for in 2020. I hope you have the opportunity to attend one or more. • March 24–25: PCB2Day—SMT Assembly Boot Camp (Austin, Texas) • March 26–27: PCB2Day—Design Essentials for PCB Engineers (Austin, Texas) • April 27–30: Zuken Innovation World Americas 2020 (Coronado, California) • June 22–25: Realize LIVE 2020 (Las Vegas, Nevada) • October 7–9: AltiumLive 2020 (San Diego, California) • September 8–11: PCB West (Santa Clara, California) • November 11: PCB Carolina (Raleigh, North Carolina) As always, if you have any local or region- al industry event coming up in your area and would like to announce it, please feel free to submit the details to be listed in an upcom- ing column. For 2020 CID and CID+ certifica- tion schedules and locations, contact EPTAC to check current dates and availability (dates and locations are subject to change). DESIGN007 Stephen Chavez, MIT, CID+, is a Master Instructor of PCB Design for EPTAC, an SME in PCB design for a major aerospace corporation, and is a member of the Printed Circuit Engineering Association (PCEA). To read past columns or contact Chavez, click here. We're seeking to provide a constructive, professional environment working with all other industry organizations.