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56 PCB007 MAGAZINE I FEBRUARY 2024 When I learned this issue would be dedi- cated to optimizing the bare board fabrica- tor's experience at the IPC APEX EXPO 2024, I thought it would be an easy column to write. With more than 40 of these shows under my belt, I didn't think it would be too difficult to come up with a list of dos and don'ts to make your visit to an exhibitor's booth worthwhile. However, aer giving it some thought and then consulting with some of my colleagues, I found that from an exhibitor's point of view, there are an awful lot of dos, and not many don'ts. e whole point of being at the show in the first place is to introduce new products, meet and talk with old customers, and intro- duce yourself and your product to potential new customers. erefore, your welcome at any vendor's booth is all but assured. So, what can you do to make your visit even more useful? Say Hello Don't be afraid to stop at a booth just to chat. It never hurts to find out what's new and trending with that vendor; it just might give you some ideas for future projects or improve- ments for your own company. It's always good to renew acquaintances, put faces to names you may have only spoken to on the phone, and introduce new staff or hires that may be interfacing with that vendor. is is especially important with capital equipment suppliers where long stretches of time may pass between contacts. A personal touch always makes com- munication easier. An Exhibitor's View of IPC APEX EXPO The Chemical Connection Feature Column by Don Ball, CHEMCUT