IPC’s Capitol Hill Day and Executive Market and Technology Conference Focus on Strengthening American Electron

IPC’s Capitol Hill Day and Executive Market and Technology Conference Focus on Strengthening American Electronics Manufacturing

BANNOCKBURN, Ill., USA, March 11, 2010 — Making the American electronics manufacturing industry more profitable is the focus of two events in one location. The place is Washington, D.C., and the events are IPC Capitol Hill Day and an IPC Executive Market & Technology Conference. On June 9–10, 2010, IPC Capitol Hill Day will focus on lobbying for issues critical to enhancing the global competitiveness of the U.S. industry, including government support for research and development (R & D) and military electronics manufacturing and security. The Executive Market and Technology Conference, “High-Reliability Electronics and the Future of American Electronics Manufacturing,” on June 9 will offer electronics industry managers and executives an insider’s look at the high-reliability requirements and trends from major OEMs.

To kick off the one-day Executive Market and Technology Conference, a senior official of the U.S. Department of Commerce will give the keynote address on the future of American industrial competitiveness and what will drive it, as well as how industry, associations and other organizations can play an integral part in the solution.

The day will be devoted to an examination of the technology issues and market opportunities in high-reliability electronics for North American manufacturers. First, the cost impact of supplying the high-reliability markets will be examined, covering issues such as materials changes, testing and recertification.

Speakers from leading OEMs in every major market segment in which high-reliability is a critical need, including military, aerospace, automotive, medical and information systems, will provide first-hand information about what constitutes high-reliability in their industries and how these definitions are expected to change in the future. The speakers represent Boeing, Medtronic, Intel and other technology leaders. Following the conference, participants will join attendees of IPC Capitol Hill Day, the industry’s largest legislative event, for issues briefings and a networking reception.

“Every electronics manufacturer in the U.S. must take responsibility for strengthening the supply chain by participating in events like Capitol Hill Day,” says IPC President and CEO Denny McGuirk. “Maintaining leading-edge technology capabilities within the U.S. electronic interconnect industry is critical … but IPC alone cannot make this happen.” With support from IPC, Capitol Hill Day attendees will be given informational briefings on pending legislation. They will then meet with members of Congress and high-level government officials to discuss those issues that are essential to the ability of U.S. electronics companies to compete globally, such as research and development (R&D) support. Another topic of paramount importance is the need for Congress to ensure that electronics manufacturers are provided with the tools and support necessary to meet special Department of Defense (DoD) needs by supporting the DoD Printed Circuit Board Executive Agent program.

Details and registration information for both events are available at www.ipc.org/EMT-CHD-2010. Questions regarding the Executive Market and Technology Conference should be directed to Sharon Starr, IPC director of market research, at +1 847-597-2817 or SharonStarr@ipc.org. Questions regarding Capitol Hill Day should be directed to Ron Chamrin, IPC manager of government relations, at RonChamrin@ipc.org or +1 703-522-0225.

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