IPC International Community magazine an association member publication
Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1518652
IPC COMMUNITY 64 SPRING 2024 T he once seemingly apolitical world of printed circuits and soldering irons has evolved into the politi- cally engaged electronics manufacturing industry that we know today. This landscape of technology is quickly evolv- ing by intersecting innovation, economics, and politics. It has created a world where circuit boards and microchips meet lobbying efforts and legislative policymaking, and the decisions made in government chambers can profoundly impact the technologies that shape our lives. In this ever-changing environ- ment, IPC has been at the forefront of advanc- ing the collective voice of the industry. We recognized the growing need for a more robust advocacy team to help navigate this new era of political engagement, both in the United States and Europe. We already feel a difference in establishing relationships with key legislators, bring- ing awareness to today's tech- nology trends through forums in Washington, D.C., on advanced packaging and high reliability; partnering with member companies on letters being sent to Congress; and through efforts to bring together OEM, PCB, and EMS supplier C-suite executives to discuss trends and challenges. Adding key mem- bers to our advocacy team has made many of these efforts possible. Our growing team is actively creating a louder voice for the industry in governments across the globe. "IPC remains at the forefront of this new age of electron- ics manufacturing, acting as a collective voice for the industry," says Chris Mitchell, IPC vice president of government relations. "Though the effort to expand and enhance our advocacy team has proven to be ben- eficial in many areas, the need for political engagement across all areas of IPC and the industry as a whole is still a priority." Richard Cappetto recently joined IPC's advocacy team as the senior director of North American government relations to spearhead efforts in Washington on behalf of the industry. ADVOCACY TEAM SPIRIT IPC's global advocacy team acting on your behalf By Kate Koger, IPC Public Affairs Coordinator