Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1335241
54 SMT007 MAGAZINE I FEBRUARY 2021 the industry. IPC also actively gathers feed- back from members on key industry issues and priorities. Further, IPC membership drives quality, reliability, and consistency through: • Standards: Company operations benefit from the widespread adoption and imple- mentation of IPC's extensive collection of industry standards and guidelines. • Education and training: IPC has invested heavily in training and education to posi- tion the industry for future growth and to address the global electronics manu- facturing skills gap. An IPC membership increases a company's ability to build and support a high-performing workforce. • Advocacy: IPC membership provides critical support to IPC's advocacy initia- tives around the world. An investment in an IPC membership is an investment in providing a strong and unified voice for the global electronics industry. • Solutions: As an electronics manufac- turing industry innovator for more than 60 years, IPC (through membership and staff ) supports and provides research on, and solutions to, many industry challenges and opportunities. Companies should view it as the consulting partner they need to stay on top of trends, solve process issues, and keep an eye on the future. • Industry intelligence: IPC is the indus- try's trusted source for industry intelli- gence and comprehensive market data in areas such as workforce development, environmental concerns, health, safety, technology and innovation, and econom- ics. With unique data sources from around the world, IPC's research reports, studies and analyses provide insights that cannot be obtained anywhere else. Johnson: What are some examples of resources available to members? Knier: IPC's website is a great place to find spe- cial resources that are available to members. A few examples include access to hundreds of technical papers and documents, recordings of past webinars, support from our technical staff on questions related to IPC standards, support from our government relations team on pol- icy and regulatory issues, and industry special reports and updates. Johnson: Does membership enhance my partic- ipation in standards and committee activities? Knier: We encourage our members to partici- pate in IPC standards committees in areas rel- evant to their business segment and provide input on these critical industry publications. Committee participation takes place in meet- ings, by teleconference, or by email. Distance shouldn't deter those interested in IPC stan- dards development from joining a committee. IPC welcomes global input. Committee members sharpen their presen- tation and negotiation skills by participating in the committee process. Individuals personally benefit from developing a network of industry peers. As an added benefit, IPC members are also eligible to serve as committee chairs. Johnson: Does membership enhance my expe- rience at conferences and shows such as IPC APEX EXPO? Knier: Yes. IPC members receive discounts on IPC events and the opportunity to participate in members-only events or activities. In addition, IPC members who sponsor or exhibit at IPC APEX EXPO as well as IPC conferences through- out the year receive discounted rates. SMT007 *Source: TechValidate survey of 303 users of IPC. Sample comprises Large Enterprise, Medium Enter- prise, S&P 500, Global 500, Fortune 500, and Small Business electronics industry organizations.