More equipment debuted at IPC Apex today than any trade show in recent memory. As usual, the placement machines grabbed the headlines, and with good reason: some are pushing 100,000 cph placement rates. Another exciting development was Viscom's combination x-ray/AOI machine.

Still, the show itself is more modest than in years past.

Despite a growing North American electronics industry, show attendance appeared smaller than the past few years, with a smaller hall and narrow aisles. (IPC did say pre-registration figures were higher than last year.)

Exhibitors cited the new location: the show is debuting at the Los Angeles Convention Center after several years in decidedly more family-friendly Anaheim, CA. Several complaints were lodged over the site – downtown LA, which is a work in progress, to put it nicely – the hotels, the cabs, and the service. The chosen week -- which coincides with spring break at many schools, not to mention the Chinese New Year -- is also no doubt hurting traffic in the aisles.

But mostly, despite all the good goings-on in the industry, attendees just don't seem excited about coming here. A cry went up – again – to move the show to Las Vegas, although IPC has a three-year contract with the LACC. Rumors spread around the floor that there may be a chance the show would move before that date. Stay tuned.

Famed astronaut Buzz Aldrin spoke before today's show opening. He joins space heroes like Wally Schirra and Gentry Lee, who keynoted IPC events in years past, and the attendees on hand always show great appreciation for the remarkable display of courage and engineering prowess these men demonstrated.

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