Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1520492
REAL TIME WITH... IPC APEX EXPO 2024 SHOW & TELL MAGAZINE I I-CONNECT007 11 Convention (ECWC16), bringing attend- ees a broader technical conference with greater participation. The pres- ence and participation of the World Electronic Circuits Council (WECC) added to the global effectiveness and diversity of the event. We welcomed 412 exhibitors and 7,245 visitors from 57 countries, with 3,723 attendees—a 5.1% increase from 2023. The show floor was full: 138,900 net square feet of the Anaheim Convention Center showcased the latest advance- ments in AI, augmented reality, and capital equipment. Attendees partici- pated in hands-on demonstrations of equipment designed to help them run their factories more efficiently. I was happy to hear from one exhibi- tor, Michael Allen of Textron Systems (AAI), who said that "attending IPC APEX EXPO is extremely valuable in terms of career development, company process improvement, and technology develop- ment." Knowing that the hard work we do behind the scenes pays off with our exhibi- tors is gratifying. We are always looking for ways to improve, and we rely on exhibitors to let us know what we can do better. IPC APEX EXPO leads the way in providing technical content for anyone eager to learn more about the electronics industry. The Technical Program Committee (TPC) built a strong ECWC16 technical conference pro- gram with nine topic tracks, 26 sessions, and 84 papers, with peer-reviewed content from 14 countries detailing original research and innovations from industry experts world- wide. Sustainability featured prominently in the conference, with 19 technical papers, 12 professional development courses, and six posters with sustainability content. Special sessions were held on advanced packaging and e-mobility, and these were a highlight, with packed rooms of attendees eager for knowledge of the newest things coming to our industry. I received positive feedback on the quality of the technical program offerings, particularly those on next-generation advanced packag- ing, EV electronics, and sustainability. We are indebted to the TPC for our strong techni- cal program, led by invaluable volunteers who spend months finding the most current information to share with our attendees. The bar for this conference is set very high, and it paid off this year. Our paper submissions were second to none, and we benefited greatly from the international subject matter experts who eagerly shared their knowledge and expertise with attendees. It's content you cannot find anywhere else. A constant at IPC APEX EXPO is the more than 100 standards development commit-