Real Time with... SMTAI 2020: First-Day Wrap-Up

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SMTA International 2020 kicked off on Monday morning with attendees and exhibitors mingling and chatting about the latest SMT products and services—virtually, of course.

Debbie Carboni, former SMTA VP of Expos, reported that there were “only a few hiccups,” which were addressed quickly and effectively. “This is much better than any other virtual event I have participated in,” she said. “We have received lots of comments on how easy the platform is, even though it is different being virtual.” She also reported that 25% of the registered attendees were new, having never attended an SMTA event before.

Things really heat up on Tuesday, with the Students and Young Professionals Program, the “Virtual Road Trip” Chapter Officers Meeting at noon CT, and an after-hours mixology class and mixer. Don’t forget that you can even win cool prizes like a Peloton bike—just by clicking on various items at booths throughout the show. 

The virtual SMTA International Electronics Exhibition runs through September 30. If you haven’t already registered for SMTAI 2020, click here.

Visit Real Time with… SMTAI 2020 and SMT007 now to catch the latest interviews with the SMT industry’s movers and shakers.

01/08/2021 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007

Throughout 2021, I-Connect007 will focus on our theme, “X = Xc – 1,” in which we will explore continuous improvement in a practical way. Get talking about continuous improvement as a business method and the conversation often hinges around large programs and grand transformations. “Company culture” and “corporate transformation” are terms that often appear in these conversations. Often, it seems, continuous improvement is simply a huge undertaking.

10/28/2020 | Graham Naisbitt, Gen3 Systems

With increasing frequency, standardising the standards, such as ISO 9201, imposes certain rules that must be met to ensure “fair play” amongst the supply chain. There will be those familiar with hearing about “false positives/negatives” and “never trust the salesman,” so mitigating these is no easy task. However, there is the chance for each 5-30 Task Group to review industry requirements and set out the work program for the ensuing period. With that in mind, much of what follows is based on comments we learn about from our industry around the world, many of whom are not yet IPC members. Yes, this is a membership recruitment drive, unashamedly, as well as a search for volunteers willing to help create the standards of tomorrow.

10/02/2020 | Real Time with...SMTAI

Nolan Johnson and Seika Machinery’s Michelle Ogihara, senior sales and marketing manager, catch up on SMTAI 2020. Michelle shares her team’s generally positive experience in preparing for the exhibition, details the new products on display in the Seika virtual booth, and describes an experience from SMTAI that could have only happened at a virtual event like this.