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14 I-CONNECT007 I REAL TIME WITH... IPC APEX EXPO 2020 SHOW & TELL MAGAZINE intelligence, providing data and market research framing our industry on the world stage. He will be joined by our new chief technologist, Matt Kelly, whose skills at committee leadership and technological insights will inform what we do in the future. We also introduced IPC Design, an effort to work more closely with the global design industry, relying on a diversity of design input from across the globe. As I walked the show floor or attended vari- ous committee meetings and other events, I received positive feedback from attendees who were enthusiastic about the innovation in this industry. The convergence of influences such as AI, additive manufacturing, and robotics are all coming together, and IPC is at the heart of it, and that is enthralling. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at IPC APEX EXPO. It was a gathering place for the pres- ent and future of electronics, enabling all of us to connect in remarkable ways. I learn so much from committee members, exhibitors, speakers, and every attendee I meet. I never tire of hearing about all the new equipment, new ideas, and new ways of looking at this ever-changing industry. At IPC, we are profoundly grateful to an industry that has encouraged and supported us these last 20 years of IPC APEX EXPO, and we look forward to 20 more. We never lose sight of the fact that we could not host this giant, exciting event without the dedicated volun- teers who share their time, their expertise, and their enthusiasm with all of us. Though we wrapped up IPC APEX EXPO less than two weeks ago, our team is already prepar- ing for next year's show, which will take place January 23–28, 2021. I look forward to seeing you in San Diego! For more information on next year's event, visit ipcapexexpo.org. S&T Dr. John Mitchell is president and CEO of IPC–Association Connecting Electronics Industries.