Industry associations are a great way to stay connected and up-to-date with the latest developments in your sector. Committees and professional organizations offer a range of benefits, including networking opportunities, insights from experienced professionals, and access to industry information. While there are many industry associations, today let’s focus on the IPC and its advantages specifically to those in electronics manufacturing.
Benefits of Joining an Industry Association
Joining an industry association can offer a range of advantages, making it well worth the investment. That idea of “investment” is important. While dues or membership may have a financial cost and events may come with time or resource costs, industry associations are really one of those concepts where you really do get from it what you put into it. If you want to just show up for tradeshows and conferences, that’s great. At Amtech, our experience has been that when our CEO Jay Patel got involved with the IPC steering committee, returns on investment became much more significant.
Networking Opportunities
Networking is a key component of any professional’s career, and industry associations provide a great platform to do so. These organizations offer members events and conferences, often both in-person and virtual, which give people the chance to build relationships with other industry professionals. This can lead to increased visibility in the sector and the potential for new business opportunities.
Insight from Experienced Professionals
Industry associations often bring together experts who can offer valuable insights into business and industry dynamics, market needs, emerging trends and more. Accessing this kind of knowledge and advice can be highly beneficial for professionals looking to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments.
Additionally, many industry associations have mentoring programs that can help up-and-coming professionals gain experience and make connections within their sector.
Access to Industry Information
Industry associations can provide their members with access to a wealth of information, including industry news, research, and data. This can be incredibly valuable for those looking to stay informed and make informed decisions. Furthermore, members of industry associations often have access to exclusive content that can give them a leg up in their sector.
Advantages the IPC
The IPC is an international association dedicated to advancing the electronics industry. It provides its members with various benefits, making it a valuable resource.
Educational Resources
The IPC offers access to educational resources for everything from assembly training to design courses, suitable for operators to engineers. The breadth and depth of training is impressive, making them useful for onboarding new employees or sharpening skills or teaching new techniques, concepts or disciplines. In addition, certifications ensure consistency and standardization across the electronics manufacturing industry.
Global Events and Conferences
The IPC hosts a range of events and conferences worldwide, providing professionals with the chance to network and stay up-to-date with the latest developments. These events are also a great opportunity to connect with other professionals and learn from industry experts.
The IPC also offers access to exclusive events, such as its IPC APEX EXPO. This event brings together leading professionals from the electronics industry, offering them the chance to network, learn and exhibit.
Connections and Advocacy
The IPC engages policymakers worldwide to educate, inform and influence. This representation helps foster healthy industry practices and innovative ideas while furthering IPC’s mission towards “competitive excellence and financial success of its members and to protect the environment.”
Jay Patel’s Experience with Joining the IPC
Jay Patel, Amtech’s CEO, joined the IPC steering committee after first attending APEX EXPO. “The more that I got engaged and the more I networked and bumped into people…I met the right people,” Jay says. “I had never done it before, and it’s been a phenomenal experience.” He continues, “We’re really grateful for the people who have allowed us to participate. Their feedback has been invaluable and we at Amtech are better for it.”
Conclusion
Executives and decision makers are busy. And frankly, it can feel difficult to prioritize a few days away from the office, or even a few hours for training, if you’re unsure of the value that time away delivers. We encourage you to open up to possibilities. Participating and joining an industry association like IPC can provide opportunities, insights and access that can transform how you think about your role, business and industry.