Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/340751
64 The PCB Magazine • July 2014 by John vaughan circuit SolutionS llc IMPACT 2014: IPC on Capitol Hill "Leadership in Promoting a Strong Manufacturing Economy" c o l u M n mil/aero markets Note: The views expressed in the following re- cap of the IPC IMPACT 2014 event held on June 10–11 are solely my own. In keeping with IPC's long-standing commitment to open dialogue by and between its members, no direct quotes or personal views from any IPC members are referenced in this article. Although I am a Washington, D.C. native and reside in the D.C. suburbs, I must admit it was difficult not to get excited in advance about spending two days in downtown Washington on Capitol Hill at IMPACT 2014, talking circuit boards with both politicians and my industry peers alike! As an industry, we face many challenges and obstacles in our pathway to success and IPC's IMPACT 2014 offered the opportunity to meet key members of Congress, policymakers and influencers, educate them about needed ac- tions to strengthen the electronics sector and the overall economy and national security, and network with industry colleagues. IPC delivered superbly on all accounts. I last attended IPC Capitol Hill Day in 2011, and while that was an outstanding event as well, it was clear this time around that IPC had redoubled its commitment to public policy en- gagement. In January of this year, IPC's Govern- ment Relations and Environmental Policy office Figure 1: iPc executives meet with President obama's senior advisor on manufacturing policy and offer support for the nnMi.