The world’s premier technical conference and exhibition for the printed board manufacturing and electronics assembly industries
Exhibition & Conference
Tuesday, February 28–Thursday, March 1
Meetings & Education
Sunday, February 26–Thursday, March 1
Produced by IPC — Association Connecting Electronics Industries®
A global nonprofit trade association, IPC is dedicated to the competitive excellence and financial success of the electronics industry worldwide. IPC is the only electronics interconnect organization that brings together all industry players, including designers, board manufacturers, assembly companies, suppliers, and original equipment manufacturers. As a member-driven organization and leading source for industry standards, training, market research and public policy advocacy, IPC supports programs to meet the needs of an estimated $1.7 trillion global electronics industry. IPC is headquartered in Bannockburn, Ill., and maintains additional offices in the U.S., as well as Stockholm, Sweden; Moscow, Russia; Bangalore, India; and Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou and Shenzhen, China.
Contact Us
IPC — Association Connecting Electronics Industries
3000 Lakeside Dr., Suite 309 S
Bannockburn, IL 60015 USA
Attendee Hotline
+1 847-597-2860
shows@ipc.org
www.IPCAPEXEXPO.org
Exhibitor Profile
More than 400 companies that supply equipment, materials, services, and software for printed board design and manufacture and electronics assembly, manufacture and test. New in 2012: focus on printed electronics.
Review the current list of exhibitors at www.IPCAPEXEXPO.org/exhibitors.
Attendee Profile
Executives, engineers/managers and designers from more than 50 countries. Representing the world’s leading printed board manufacturers; electronics manufacturing companies; original equipment manufacturers; suppliers of materials, equipment, and services; and distributors.
Join thousands of colleagues from more than 50 countries at IPC APEX EXPO
For education, training, networking and industry standards development, there is no other event like it in the world! Designed by and for the industry, IPC APEX EXPO is the one place to get the answers you need for 2012 and beyond.
- Find the technology you need.
- Visit nearly 400 suppliers to our industry.
- Discover the newest equipment, materials, chemistry, software and services.
- Network with industry experts.
- Learn from new research papers.
- Return to your company with solutions to your challenges.
- Get up to date on new technologies like printed electronics.
Conference and Education Program
A technical conference, professional development courses, and standards development committee meetings offer additional opportunities for participation in industry growth and development.
Technical Conference
Tuesday, February 28–Thursday, March 1
Features more than 100 papers on new research and innovations from industry experts in the areas of board design and manufacture, electronics assembly and test. There is a special conference session series this year on printed electronics. Other critical topics include lead-free alloys (especially proliferation and testing); lead-free reliability; high temperature laminates; conflict metals; halogen free; counterfeit components; and ball grid array reliability issues. Find detailed information on the sessions at www.IPCAPEXEXPO.org/technical-conference.
Professional Development Courses
Sunday and Monday, February 26-27, Thursday, March 1
Half-day courses taught by industry experts will bring you quickly up to speed on all aspects of printed board design, manufacture and assembly. Topics of special interest this year include: cleaning; electronics assembly best practices; conformal coating; tin whiskers; rework of advanced packages; and HDI. Additional courses will focus on printed board design; emerging technologies; PCB fabrication and materials, quality, reliability and test and more. Find detailed information on the courses at www.IPCAPEXEXPO.org/courses.
Standards Development
Sunday, February 26–Thursday, March 1
Contribute to the global industry standards and guidelines that your company, customers, suppliers and competitors rely on by attending IPC standards development meetings. Find detailed information on the standards development meetings at www.IPCAPEXEXPO.org/standards.
Executive Management Meetings
Monday, February 27
Executives from printed board and electronics manufacturing companies are invited to meet with their peers and learn from expert speakers.
Designers Forum
Monday, February 27
PCB designers and others concerned with printed board design issues are invited for a half day of education on design standards, documentation, and technology issues.
Exhibition
Tuesday, February 28–Thursday, March 1
One of the largest exhibitions in the world focused only on our industry with nearly 400 exhibitors! All of the industry’s key suppliers in one convenient location in more than 100,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space. New for 2012: a special focus on printed electronics. Save thousands of dollars by seeing multiple suppliers and comparing their offerings in one location. Uncover new solutions that will improve your bottom line.
Exhibition Product Categories
- Adhesives & Dispensers
- Assembly Chemicals & Materials
- Automated Test Equipment
- Cleaning Equipment & Supplies
- Components, Connectors, Fasteners
- Component Prep & Placement Equipment
- Drilling, Routing, & Tooling Equipment
- EMS/Contract Assembly
- Materials Handling Equipment
- PCB Chemicals & Materials
- Photovoltaic/Solar
- Printed Boards/Flex Circuits
- Printed Electronics
- Production Hand Tools & Fixtures
- REACH/ RoHS Compliance Services
- Reflow & Wave Soldering Systems
- Rework, Repair Tools & Kits
- Services • Design, Consulting, Testing, etc.
- Software • CAD, CAM, MES, etc.
- Stencil Printing Systems
- Test/Inspection Systems
FREE on the Show Floor!
- New! New Product Zone — View cutting-edge products and services that bringing innovation to the factory floor.
- New! Hand Soldering Competition — Watch or participate in this exciting competition, culminating in the Grand Championship on March 1.
- Expanded! NPL Defect Database Clinic Live — Get free unbiased help on your process-related issues and learn at free mini-seminars.
- Expanded! Show Floor Reception — Two hours on Wednesday, February 29, for networking with old friends and making new connections.
More 2012 Highlights!
- FREE! Opening Keynote Session — Star Trek’s Captain James T. Kirk, William Shatner, will share his life’s inspirations, his drive to “explore strange new worlds”, and his newly published set of rules to live by. He will sign copies of his book on the show floor.
- FREE! Industry Expert Panel — Key industry leaders will predict technology shocks and new opportunities in a lively new sesson.
- FREE! Buzz Sessions — Hot panel discussions on topics such as embedded technologies; solar, supply chain issues and an international academic paper competition will be thought-provoking and informative.
- FREE! International Reception — International colleagues are invited to relax, have a bite to eat and meet colleagues from around the world.
- FREE! First Timers Welcome Breakfast — Maximize your time at IPC APEX EXPO with advice from insiders and a staff orientation.
- FREE! Women in Electronics Networking Meeting — Join colleagues from across the supply chain to share ideas and experiences and build your industry network.
- Golf Tournament — Enjoy a day in the sun at the beautiful Coronado Municipal Golf Course.
A Spectacular Destination
The meetings and exhibits will take place at the San Diego Convention Center. San Diego’s friendly, laid-back, upbeat vibe brings out the positive, make-it-happen attitude! It may be the ocean breezes, beautiful surroundings or near-perfect weather, but San Diego will energize, refresh and stimulate you! From shopping to culture to natural beauty, San Diego is fun for families and adult travelers as well. Learn more at www.sandiego.org.
Visa Information
Event registration is required before a letter of invitation can be sent. Register early and request your letter through IPC APEX EXPO online registration. If you have questions regarding obtaining a visa invitation letter please contact KimDiCianni@ipc.org.
The U.S. government requires residents of many countries to obtain a temporary visa before entering the U.S. It is very important to apply for your visa as soon as possible, and no later than October 30, 2011. The decision to issue a visa is the sole judgment of the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate. IPC is unable to assist with actual visa processing. The information below provides important links and details that should make the entire process easier for you.
Visa Waiver Program
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens of certain countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for 90 days or less without obtaining a Visa. Visitors to the U.S. from visa-waiver countries are required to register online and be authorized for entry to the U.S. as part of the new Electronic System for Travel Authorization. For more information, and to find out if your country participates in the VWP, visit the Visa Waiver Program website.
If your country is not listed as a participant in the Visa Waiver Program, a visa will be required for entry to the U.S.
How to Apply for a U.S. Visa
- Review the U.S. Department of State website for detailed instructions, forms and fees required for the visa application process.
- Apply for your visa as early as possible (at least four months prior to your departure date).
- Check your passport expiration to make sure it will not expire before your trip is completed.
- Request a letter of invitation through IPC APEX EXPO online registration. Registration for the event is required before a letter of invitation can be sent. Visa letters can be requested through IPC online registration.
- Schedule your visa interview appointment. Administrative processing time and waiting time for interviews for Visas vary by Consulate. It is important to thoroughly review all information on your Embassy's Consular Section website for local procedures and instructions, including details on how to make an interview appointment.



A great show! It was convenient for me to meet with so many vendors and compare one to the next. I narrowed my search for a new rework system down from a possible seven to the one I am going to purchase.
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