Conference Overview

This marks the first of IPC’s Executive Market & Technology Forum conferences in Asia.   IPC is proud to co-produce this conference with the Hong Kong Printed Circuit Association.  HKPCA is the trade association for Hong Kong printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturers and their suppliers.  IPC is the US-based global association for the electronic interconnection industry, which includes PCB manufacturers, electronics manufacturing services (EMS) companies, electronic end-product manufacturers, and their suppliers. 

IPC’s Executive Market & Technology Forum is a group of leading IPC-member companies that support IPC’s market research programs.  The Executive Forum also sponsors conferences on strategic issues for industry executives, offering a forum where executives can meet other industry leaders, acquire new knowledge and build their networks of key contacts.  The conference is designed to meet the needs of company managers and executives.

Topics and Speakers

The subject of this one-and-a-half-day conference – managing for future success – is a demanding assignment. Today’s executives must understand the quickly evolving trends in economics, markets and technology, and create nimble organizations that can respond to the fast changing business environment. This conference addresses trends in critical areas, and gives delegates an inside look at how some leading companies are meeting today’s biggest challenges.

The conference begins with a keynote address by a leading economist, Mr. Peter Morgan, Chief Economist Asia Pacific, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd (HSBC). He will share his insights on the current state of the economy, both globally and regionally, and offer his forecasts for the next 18 months. This will be followed by a closer look at the global and Asian electronics industry.  Mr. Tien Yu Sieh of Merrill Lynch (Asia Pacific) Ltd., will present business trends and outlook for the electronic interconnection industry, covering developments in the EMS and downstream electronics manufacturing industries.

Managing a global supply chain is one of the industry’s biggest challenges today. Nokia's Director of Indirect Sourcing will discuss Nokia's global sourcing strategy, including how the company selects preferred suppliers and where they look for new materials and components.

The second day of the conference focuses on key technologies and markets, beginning with an update on China’s new lead free requirements.  Dr. Ma Xin, Vice President of Technology at Yik Shing Tat Industrial Co., Ltd., and Director of the Subcommittee on Lead-Free Soldering Technology of the China Welding Society, will offer his unique perspective on the emerging requirements, how they compare with the European Union’s lead free requirements, and how Chinese manufacturers are preparing for compliance. This will be followed by an update on lead free costs, technology drivers and deployment by Mr. Anthony Hilvers, Vice President of Industry Programs at IPC. His update will include the findings from IPC's global survey on lead free preparedness in the electronics industry.

Many companies in the industry are investing in high-performance PCBs to meet market demands.  Viasystems, one of the world’s leading PCB manufacturers, has a cutting-edge reputation in high-performance PCBs.  Mr. Joan Tourné, Advanced Technology and Business Director at Viasystems in the Netherlands will share his knowledge about the trends in reliability, functionality and speed, which affect high-performance PCB manufacturers and EMS companies. 

China has a well established reputation as an attractive manufacturing location for global electronics manufacturers, but India has now burst onto the scene as a new and promising contender.   The next segment of the conference will look at India’s future as an electronics production hub and how it compares with China from the viewpoint of a large, global EMS company.  Mr. Gururaj A, Managing Director of Flextronics India, will provide his unique insight into the opportunities and challenges in India and China as investment targets for global electronics manufacturers. Flextronics is the second largest EMS company in the world.

Delegates will see a glimpse of the future of the electronics industry when iSuppli's Senior Asia consultant presents Market Trends, Disruptions and Opportunities for Growth. Mr Abelson's conclusions and recommendations will have important implications for manufacturers' strategies.

The conference will conclude with two concurrent sessions from which conference delegates may choose.  Ms. Sharon Starr, Director of Market Research at IPC, will present highlights from IPC’s newly published 2005 World PCB Production and Laminate Market Report, which is published exclusively for members of IPC’ Executive Market and Technology Forum.  Delegates who are more interested in business trends in the EMS industry may opt to attend a different presentation. Mr. Jack Calderon, Managing Director of Lincoln International, a global investment bank, will present an update on merger and acquisition trends in the EMS industry worldwide. Calderon was the CEO of a major public EMS company before bringing his experience to the investment banking world.

Social and Networking Events

On the evening of Tuesday, June 13, delegates will be treated to drinks and hors d'oeuvres at a networking reception.  A ticket for this event is included in the conference registration package.  Delegates who wish to bring guests may purchase additional tickets for the reception.  A networking luncheon will be provided on the second day for the conference delegates.  These special events are included with each conference registration.

Conference Materials

Upon their arrival at the conference, all delegates will receive a bound proceedings book of the conference presentations and a list of the delegates.  A few weeks after the conference, they will receive all of the presentations on a CD-Rom.

Conference delegates will also receive a bound copy of IPC’s 2005 World PCB Production and Laminate Market Report.  It contains consensus estimates of PCB production and laminate consumption by product type and by country for 2005.  The consensus team, which developed these estimates, includes the industry’s leading analysts.  The report is published exclusively for IPC’s Executive Forum and is not available for sale to others.  This report will be available only to members of the Executive Forum and delegates to this conference.

Agenda

Situated on the north shore of Victoria Harbour, the Harbour Plaza offers spacious and comfortable accommodations in an environment of contemporary and understated elegance.  Most of its 554 guest rooms and suites enjoy splendid views of the harbour. 

The hotel has guaranteed room rates of just $1150 per night for Superior Courtview Rooms and $1300 per night for Superior Habourview Rooms for our conference delegates.  To be sure you receive these guaranteed rates, please use the form linked to this brochure (above at right: "Hotel Reservation Form"), or send your request by e-mail to KathyL@harbour-plaza.com and mention that you are attending IPC’s or HKPCA’s Executive Forum conference. Please make your reservation by May 22 to receive the guaranteed rates.

The hotel features seven different restaurants and lounges catering to every taste, including European al-fresco dining, traditional Japanese barbecue, premium grill, classic Cantonese, continental buffet and American pub.  For recreation, guests will enjoy the hotel’s Cybex-equipped fitness centre with cardio machines and free weights, an executive locker room with sauna and steam room, and a dazzling resort-style rooftop pool and whirlpool. 

All guest rooms have broadband Internet access.  The fully equipped Business Center offers broadband computer terminals, a comfortable reading area, a high-tech boardroom and private offices, as well as secretarial, translation, and interpretation services.

Transportation

The Harbour Plaza Hotel is conveniently located on the Kowloon waterfront in the Whampoa Garden district, just five minutes drive from Hung Hom KCR Station and bustling Tsim Sha Tsui.  The hotel is about a 45-minute bus or train ride from Hong Kong International Airport.  Visitors arriving at the airport can take the Airport Express train to Kowloon Station for $90HK and catch the complimentary shuttle from the station to the hotel, which leaves every 12 minutes.  Or you can also go to the Hotel-Link Shuttle desk in the arrivals hall to buy a $120HK  ticket for a shuttle bus that leaves every 30 minutes and will take you directly to the hotel.

The hotel is a 10-minute ride from Kowloon Station, MTR Tsim Sha Tsui Station and the China-Hong Kong City Ferry Pier with ferries to and from China and Macau.  It is just a two-minute walk from First Ferry Hung Hom Pier (eight minutes to North Point) and Star Ferry Hung Hom Pier (12 minutes to Wanchai, 16 minutes to Central).  A complimentary hotel shuttle bus leaves the hotel every 30 minutes for Tsim Sha Tsui and Hankow Road.  The shuttle also stops at Kowloon Canton Railway (KCRC) – Hung Hom Station where trains to mainland China originate.

About IPC’s Executive Market & Technology Forum

Membership in the Executive Forum is open to all members of IPC and offers a range of business intelligence services for the entire electronic interconnection supply chain.  Members receive in-depth market studies and business reports that help them identify the best opportunities and plan for future growth. The opportunity to participate in Executive Forum conferences and build a strong network of industry contacts helps to enhance their competitive position.

For information about Executive Forum membership, please contact:
Sharon Starr
Director of Market Research
IPC
3000 Lakeside Drive, Suite 309 S
Bannockburn, IL 60015, USA
Tel: +1 847 597 2817
Fax: +1 847 597 2845
Email: sharonstarr@ipc.org

conference sponsorship opportunities

Gold Sponsorship for $2500US
(maximum of three sponsors at this level)

• One full-page full-color advertisement in conference proceedings book (artwork to be provided by the sponsor)
  Placement is assigned on a first-come first-served basis:
  • Outside back cover
• Inside front cover
• Inside back cover
• Company logo/name on front cover of conference proceedings book
• Company logo/name in official sponsor list that is included in all promotional mailings about the conference
• Company logo/name included in CD Rom of proceedings
• Brochure and/or promotional item (such as pen, tote bag, etc.) included with materials handed out to all participants at the conference (brochures and promotional items to be provided by the sponsor)

Silver Sponsorship for $1800US
(maximum of three sponsors at this level)

• One full-page one-color ad in conference proceedings book (artwork to be provided by the sponsor).  Placement is assigned on a first-come first-served basis
• Company logo/name on front cover of conference proceedings book
• Company logo/name in official sponsor list that is included in all promotional mailings about the conference
• Company logo/name included in CD Rom of proceedings
• Brochures may be displayed on a table in the registration area

Bronze Sponsorship for $1000US

• Company logo/name on front cover of conference proceedings book
• Company logo/name in official sponsor list that is included in all promotional mailings about the conference
• Company logo/name included in CD Rom of proceedings
• Brochures may be displayed on a table in the registration area

HKPCA and IPC member companies will receive a 15% discount off these sponsorship prices.

Download a sponsorship form (pdf)