Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1520956
90 PCB007 MAGAZINE I MAY 2024 Westinghouse Laminates, and others that made it happen. IPC APEX EXPO 2024 was a big show. We're robust on the PCB and EMS sides. We've really expanded our supply chain. But, once again, there are lots of shows out there. Are we looking at another consolidation or shift? Feinberg: I see a reversal like we had in the '80s and '90s. But I'm starting to see too many shows, events, and organizations having their own events. We could end up being back where we were, where people say, "Hey, I can't afford to do all that." Weiner: I have a different thought. First, you can't be everything to everybody. We're not going to be another IEEE, I hope. ey do good things; it's just that they try to do every- thing. Advanced electronics is what's growing. Many people are trying to jump ahead of the game regarding UHDI with substrates and advanced electronics packaging. PCBAA is trying to bring it back to America. e CHIPS Act allows you to make the chips here. But now you lengthen the supply chain by ship- ping them back to Asia and then bringing the packages back here again. So, there are a lot of changes that still must be made. ere are groups working to set standards for the different advanced technologies. IPC is working on standards, and the semiconductor people are doing something independently. For the next three years, I see a struggle for leadership in the advanced packaging area as we try to bring this back to America, both in equipment and materials—and this is a good thing. Here at the show, I noticed sev- eral advanced products from Germany, Japan, and the U.S. for ultra high density intercon- nect manufacturing. I saw German companies, American subsidiaries for Japanese companies, and a Swiss supplier all working on advances. I saw a new product from Taiwan today being shown here, but it's made in China. How will you get it back to the U.S.? I'm looking for- ward to a lot of innovation, confusion, shake- outs, and competition, with a few organiza- tions rising to the top. I have had the pleasure of going to many trade shows and conferences lately, from small to very big. Is it realistic that there's room for everybody to work together? Weiner: is is an age where we have to work together. Unfortunately, some representatives of some larger groups view the others as com- petition rather than as cooperative members. It is not helpful, and I hope we will continue to work beyond it. One of the most critical future tracks for IPC, other than educational needs to upskill and train, is to get young people involved in this industry. ere is a tremendous need. We are a million skilled workers short—not work- ers, but skilled workers—in our industry today. We need STEM programs in the high schools and expanding into the community colleges. I was so happy to see some of the younger peo- ple recognized here at the show. It was great! I think we all agree with that sentiment, Gene. Thank you, gentlemen, for your time and perspective. It has been a lot of fun to listen to you. Feinberg: It's important for us to talk about this, Marcy. ank you for taking the time. PCB007 Dan Feinberg with Jen-Hsun Huang of NVIDIA.