Pre-show registration for IPC APEX EXPO™, taking place April 6–8, 2010, at Mandalay Bay Resort & Convention Center, is 15 percent higher than in 2009 and appears to be headed close to record-breaking 2008 levels, show management announced today.

“We are delighted with our pre-show numbers,” says IPC President Denny McGuirk. “The industry seems to finally be on the rebound. The strong registration demonstrates the need for people to get together, see new equipment, and catch up on the latest research. IPC APEX EXPO is more than a trade show; it’s a focal point for the industry where important networking and relationship-building takes place.”

IPC reports that international attendance has reached 10 percent of total attendance, with registrants coming from 44 different countries. Attendance for the professional development courses and technical conference is the strongest in three years. The EMS and PCB Management Meetings, focused on executive education, have recovered to 2008 levels as well.

“Budgets were so tight last year that companies were focused only on survival,” says McGuirk. “This year, you can see that companies understand the need to catch up on vital industry developments and get a jumpstart on the recovery.”

According to a June 2009 Tradeshow Week study, 89 percent of attendees and buyers consider conventions, trade shows and conferences to be an important part of their product sourcing and buying process. Eighty-seven percent agreed that these events are essential for comparing products and meeting suppliers in person.

IPC Director of Trade Show Sales Mary Mac Kinnon has seen companies wrestle with the tight budgets they developed in 2009 against the need to get in front of customers in what appears to be an economically improving 2010. “I am pleased that we have not only the industry’s leading companies exhibiting at IPC APEX EXPO, but also many new companies and new products. Buyers and specifiers will find nearly 350 companies from every part of the supply chain ready to show innovative solutions and equipment. There’s no better place to see and evaluate printed board and electronics manufacturing equipment and services and to meet with customers or suppliers in person.”

Industry professionals can register for free exhibit hall admission online at www.IPCAPEXEXPO.org/register.

Those who register by March 5 can save 20 percent off fee-based activities and can save an additional $200 by using promo code APEX10.

For more information on all the activities taking place at IPC APEX EXPO as well as a current list of exhibitors, visit www.ipcapexexpo.org.