Despite the worst industry downturn in history, Apex 2002 was well attended, and enthusiastically regarded by exhibitors, visitors and the press. The Apex Steering Committee is looking ahead to consolidate the stature and importance to the electronics assembly industry that this event has acquired in a remarkably short time since its inauguration in 2000. The vision has been to deliver an event focused on technology, products, services and equipment, and structured to provide cost effective exhibit opportunities with equal promotional possibilities for everyone. In the context of that philosophy, Apex has become acknowledged as an ideal showcase for the next generation of technology, and a forum for the efficient diffusion of information – from the exhibition floor to the specialist technical sessions.
The industry that is beginning to emerge from the downturn is radically different from its pre-2000 incarnation. Therefore, Apex must evolve. First, we have found a new home. The old Anaheim that we left has been dramatically transformed through the forward thinking of the City of Anaheim, Disney and the Anaheim Convention Center, backed by a combined investment totalling $5bn. We are confident that this facility, which now offers over 800,000 square feet of exhibition space, meeting and pre-function areas, and conference facilities, provides us with the long-term growth opportunity we need to serve the industry in years to come. Not only are the exhibition and conference facilities significantly enhanced, but they also reside in the heart of what is now called the Anaheim Resort.
The steering committee is also implementing further changes, to ensure that we continue to deliver the greatest benefit to the IPC’s broad base of industry participants and individual members. For example, we have formed a blue ribbon panel to plan for the co-location of Apex and IPC Printed Circuits Expo scheduled to start in 2005. The panel’s mandate is to maintain the two events as separate and focused shows, but to take full advantage of the technological and commercial benefits of co-location.
For those who are currently involved in both events, the benefits of co-locating are obvious. For those who are focused in just one area, the benefits are still compelling. The technical conferences, a highlight of both shows, will merge into a single but significantly expanded educational opportunity. The integration of topics will mirror the integration of technologies, as packaging and bare board technologies quickly evolve. The borders where one process ends and another begins are continually blurring. New packaging solutions make it impossible to say where the component ends and the substrate begins, allowing electronics manufacturing service (EMS) suppliers to move into the PCB arena through acquisitions and/or by organic expansion of their services.
Our ongoing brief is to keep a close watch on industry developments, in order to ensure that changes to the Apex conference and exhibition enable it to fulfil its mission. We will position Apex to continuously deliver a higher quality of information that can appropriately address the changing technical and corporate landscape. We have high expectations that this year’s event – and others to come – will be occasions of choice for the pioneers of next-generation technology.
