That’s a major expansion of MMG’s fairground and convention facilities. It comes amid another busy worldwide show calendar of other electronic production conventions and exhibitions, put on by the World Electronics Circuits Council (WECC). Next incarnation of a WECC-sponsored event in Europe will be the ECWC 9 (Electronic Circuits World Convention), which is co-hosted by the European Federation of Interconnection and Packaging (EFIP), and is held October 7 to 9 together with the EPC 2000 exhibition, organized by the EIPC in Cologne. The discussion of whether a trade show from a non-profit in-dustry association or a public organization such as MMG is more cost-effective than the other doesn’t seem fruitful. For attendees and exhibitors alike, much divergence can`t be seen here. Normally, the biggest differences between those events can be recognized by looking into the list with the accompanying program conferences and the topics.
Is there some potential for dis-agreement? Yes, says David Bergman of the U.S.-based IPC, “With those big shows, we are always at the mercy of convention centers.” On the other hand, Bergman says, “WECC members recognize the importance of Productronica.” The attempt, however well intended, to collocate EPC and Productronica in 1999 didn’t work out to the satisfaction of EFIP and EIPC. So they parted way with MMG and waved Munich good-bye.
Still, EIPC and MMG are talking – to avoid any impression of possible conflict. “Our activities are complementary,” says Joe Bornier of EIPC. Disengagement of Productronica and EPC by alternating them in odd and even years is the ground rule in the European theater. How about MMG’s coming expansion to China? “It might conflict with the WECC calendar,” Bornier foresees. But there, too, is talk of disengagement. Even if thereis no solution yet in sight.IPC’s Bergman underlines, “Our plans in China haven’t yet solidified. We are not ready for 2002. But we are discussing future possibilities.” ws/gbw
