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182 I-CONNECT007 I REAL TIME WITH... IPC APEX EXPO 2023 SHOW & TELL MAGAZINE Article By John W. Mitchell • IPC O f all the networking opportunities offered each year at IPC APEX EXPO, one of my favorites has to be the New- comers' Networking Reception. The goal of this event is to familiarize first-time attend- ees with the show and with each other. By pairing newcomers with seasoned show veterans who know the ins and outs of both IPC APEX EXPO and the electronics industry, you have the ingredients for a very successful networking event. Show attendance was strong and the number of first-time attendees was high. Industry experts and leaders, including Udo Welzel, Denny Fritz, Stan Rak, Gene Weiner, Vern Solberg, Debbie Wade, Patty Goldman, and Teresa Rowe were on hand to offer advice and counsel to newcomers looking to make the most of their first-time IPC APEX EXPO experience. It was exciting to watch our subject matter experts and long-time volunteers share their knowledge with a new crop of eager engi- neers who will one day succeed them as subject matter experts within our industry. There was a real electricity to group discussions, with attendees from all sectors eager to share knowledge about the industry. Favorite topics included Factory of the Future tracks within the Technical Conference, business tracks within Professional Development courses, participation in standards development committees, and a brand new offering this year at the show: the career networking event. As with anything that focuses on our next generation of engineers and partici- pants in electronics manufacturing, I'm already looking forward to watching our leaders guide the electronics industry's next generation toward success at next year's Newcomers' Networking Reception. S&T John W. Mitchell is president and CEO of IPC. The Benefits of the Newcomers' Networking Reception