WORCESTER, MA – February 26, 2026 – The Printed Circuit Engineering Association (PCEA) today announced the debut of the PCB Management Forum at PCB East. The all-day event will be held April 28 concurrent with PCB East 2026 at the DCU Convention Center in Worcester, MA.

The program, ”Strategic Leadership in the Age of AI, New Technology Adoption, Material and Talent Scarcity,” will bring together leaders from across the printed circuit industry and academia to explore the forces shaping the future of electronics manufacturing. Key discussions will cover the impact of artificial intelligence on manufacturing and its implementation in the factory, strategies for mentoring and training the next generation of workers, adapting to the rapidly changing supply chain, and the opportunities created through collaboration between industry and educational institutions.

The forum was launched at PCB West in September 2025, and the positive feedback led show managers to make it a part of the PCB East conference as well.

Co-chaired by IPC Hall of Fame members Gene H. Weiner and Peter Bigelow, the program will bring together top PCB industry leaders to explore the forces shaping the future of electronics manufacturing.

“This new management symposium will address the rapid changes and challenges induced by AI adoption, the surge in demand for AI server boards, material shortages, skyrocketing prices, and more,” said Weiner, founder, Weiner International and chairman of the PCB Management Forum. “Our program features two keynote speakers: Ventec’s technology ambassador and noted materials scientist Alun Morgan, and our industry's leading AI expert and advisor, Sean Patterson, the founder of CrossGen AI. Senior managers will present on the impact of AI, challenges of the workforce and material shortages, rapid technological and organizational changes, and opportunities created through collaboration, followed by a panel discussion.”

Sessions include:

• Build AI vs. Buy AI: Why AI Isn’t a Technology Problem … It’s a Leadership One – Sean Patterson, CrossGen AI
• AI Needs Hardware: Rebuilding Advanced PCB Manufacturing – Vytautas Ilgunas, TLT Electronics
• PCBAA Update on Washington Legislative Efforts – John Vaughan, Summit Interconnect
• Unintended Consequences! How the AI Infrastructure Build Out Will Reshape the PCB Materials Supply Chain – Alun Morgan, Ventec
• AI’s Role in the Future of Electronics Manufacturing Collaboration – Timon Rubin, Luminovo 
• Addressing the Skilled/Semi-Skilled Labor Shortage
• Outlook In View of AI Surge in PCB Demand and Severe Material Shortages/Allocations 

Registration for PCB East 2026 and the PCB Management Forum is now open at pcbeast.com. For more details and to secure your spot, visit pcbeast.com.