ATLANTA, GA—UP Media Group’s 10th anniversary PCB Design Conference East, held earlier this month in Manchester, NH, was a great success. The conference, sponsored by EMA Design Automation, Sierra Proto Express and Printed Circuit Design & Manufacture and Circuits Assembly, provided a variety of well-attended networking and product demonstration opportunities, and a five-day PCB design conference program.

The event featured a keynote address by IPC director of technology transfer Dieter Bergman, a variety of networking and informational events and a two-day exhibition.

In addition to delivering the keynote on “The Designer: Preparing for the Next Decade,” Bergman helped four others roast Gary Ferrari at the Welcome Luncheon Industry Icon Roast. Ferrari, a speaker at the show and a well-known industry figure who once served as executive director of IPC Designers Council, had been told that Bergman would be roasted. Though surprised by the misdirect, Ferrari graciously laughed and listened through stories and comments tossed out by Bergman, UPMG president Pete Waddell and PCB East speakers Rick Hartley, Andy Kowalewski and Susy Webb.

The show floor was almost a sellout, with 42 exhibiting companies. Conference attendees created their own individualized educational programs by selecting from over 40 courses taught by a distinguished list of 20 PCB industry experts. Numerous conference classes reached classroom capacity. Technical Conference proceedings are for sale at pcbeast.com.

One day during the exhibition, Waddell wore the costume selected in a “What Will Pete Wear?” pre-show poll that garnered over 12,000 votes by Website visitors. For his impersonation of “007” (AKA James Bond), Waddell wore a tuxedo, had a “Bond girl” on his arm and carried a toy gun. To view a photo of Waddell and other show photos, visit pcbeast.com.

Waddell said, “While our conferences are serious educational, networking and technological events, I’m also thrilled that we were able to entertain everyone at the show with fun events such as the Industry Icon Roast, Trivia Night, the 10th Anniversary Opening Night Reception, Pub Night at Jillian’s and an old-fashioned Ice Cream Social.”

Plans are underway for PCB East 2006, which will be held in a new location—the Raleigh-Durham/Research Triangle Park area in North Carolina.