Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1493016
172 I-CONNECT007 I REAL TIME WITH... IPC APEX EXPO 2023 SHOW & TELL MAGAZINE As the event grew, IPC added more segments well beyond the initial focus on standards, including committee meetings, and mentor- ing and support education and those enter- ing the industry. The show's growth led IPC to book a variety of venues over the years, with much of the last decade in San Diego. As we now return to a semblance of normalcy, the event continues to grow. This year, we met face-to-face once again. Were many of us a little nervous about it? Of course, but we did it, and I feel that this year may have been the best IPC APEX EXPO ever. In my opinion, attendance was quite strong; the show floor seemed reasonably busy. While I did not see many wholly new tech- nologies, I was quite impressed with the improved equipment and the more advanced and efficient processes on display. There were so many companies in attendance that did not even exist when the show first started. As new members of the Hall of Fame were announced, I reflected on those previ- ous winners who are pictured on the wall; that number has gone from nonexistent to a significant number, many of whom continue finding ways to do things that are "good for the industry." There is a growing focus on education and helping the next generation of engineers, managers and even founders of future companies to succeed. To me, meeting face-to-face is like 2+2 = 5, while online work and meetings is more like 2+2 = 3. Being together has the potential to create many great ideas. The event's focus on education will help the industry grow, and while expectations are higher every year, this year's event appeared to meet and even exceed those expectations in some ways. Support for those young, up-and-coming professionals who want to join the industry seems to have greatly expanded this year, and their appreciation of that support was quite evident. On top of that, it created very posi- tive feelings to see so many old friends and colleagues just having fun encouraging the younger generation. IPC APEX EXPO 2023 was fun in so many ways. I look forward to next year's event and all the additional prog- ress and accomplishments we will talk about when the show moves to Anaheim in 2024. S&T Dan Feinberg is a regular columnist for I-Connect007. To read past columns, click here.