Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1493016
76 I-CONNECT007 I REAL TIME WITH... IPC APEX EXPO 2023 SHOW & TELL MAGAZINE To say that anticipation had been building prior to this show would be an understate- ment. Bearing in mind the various unknowns as we emerge from the worst of the pandemic, IPC APEX EXPO 2023 stood apart as a beacon of cautious optimism. Overall, I don't think anyone left the show disappointed. There was a real air of resur- gence on the show floor related to the many new technologies, innovations, materials, and Smart manufacturing solutions being devel- oped in the industry. For many attendees, this was their first IPC APEX EXPO in three years and a chance, at last, for colleagues and old friends across the industry to find each other and talk again face-to-face. The anecdotal sharing of experiences and ideas in a few moments here and there accomplished more than hundreds of Zoom calls could ever hope to do. Some vendors during I-Connect007's Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2023 even mentioned a 50% business increase as manu- facturing opportunities refocus into North America. Such shared experiences drive enthusiasm and confidence and encourage a strong positive spiral in business expecta- tions. The industry is back. Less experienced colleagues also met mem- bers of their own companies and custom- ers for the first time at IPC APEX EXPO 2023. Luminous, disconnected faces and voices were replaced by real human beings with per- sonalities; I found this drove a sense of unity. The keynote speech from Emily Calandrelli, e Industry Is Back and Beer an Ever by Michael Ford • AEGIS SOFTWARE show review