Come to IMAPS 2008.  Our 41st annual symposium will take place November 2-6, 2008, at the Rhode Island Convention Center in the beautiful city of Providence, who some local dignitaries say reminds them of New York City 20 years ago. Your symposium team has brought together an excellent technical program coupled with an exhibition where we truly represent “everything between the chip and the system.” You will also enjoy two keynote presentations, a technical panel discussion and a powerful GBC meeting on Alternative Energy, and 19 Professional Development Courses.

Ken Gilleo, John Olenick, and Lee Levine led a team of volunteers that compiled over 240 abstract submittals, reviewed all of them, and created a very strong technical program featuring 32 sessions in 7 tracks. The first track is a set of Focused Sessions on Automotive Electronics, Biomedical Electronics, Consumer Electronics, Military Applications and Telecom Packaging & Optoelectronics.

The second track is on Systems and Design and includes Embedded and Integrated Passives, Thermal Management, Design & Modeling, and Electrical Modeling & Design. The third track is on Materials and includes Pb-Free Materials, Solder & Reliability, Ceramic, LTCC, Polymer & Conductive Materials, Pb-Free Solder Materials, RoHS, & Reliability, Advanced Materials, and Underfill, Encapsulants & Adhesives. Our fourth track will start with the Chinese to English translated session, which also includes the Japanese to English translated session that will take place on Tuesday afternoon and then include 4 sessions on Signal Integrity that are Microwave & RF Applications, MEMS & Sensors, High Performance Interconnects & Boards, and Packaging for Extreme Environments. Our fifth track is on Reliability and includes sessions on Flip-Chip Reliability, Manufacturing, Outsourcing & Quality Assessment, and 2 sessions on Package Reliability. The sixth track is on Advanced Technologies and includes 3D Packaging & High Density Substrates, Flip-Chip Processes, Wafer Level Packaging / CSP, Advanced Packaging, and Emerging Technologies. We have 2 sessions in a Packaging Process Track that include Wirebonding & Stud Bumping, and Packaging Process Technologies. Our final track is an Interactive track that is home of the very popular one-on-one Poster Session. A panel discussion on Alternative Energy is also being organized for Wednesday afternoon. You don’t want to miss out on the great information you can acquire by attending our fabulous technical program this year.

Sponsorship is such an integral part of our symposium. We would like to welcome back our platinum – NATEL, gold – Panasonic Factory Solutions, and silver – Hesse & Knipps sponsors. In addition, Metalor has agreed to co-sponsor wireless in the exhibit hall and Sefar is repeating as the Badge Holder Lanyard sponsor and Umicore has come through with a large donation. Thanks to all of our sponsors who help make this a successful symposium.

Tom Green has brought together 19 Professional Development Courses including a 1st time course focused on Alternative Energy. These courses are a great way to expand your technical knowledge in this ever-changing microelectronics environment.

Our annual golf tournament will take place at the Alpine Country Club in Cranston, RI. This is a private country club nestled on 205 quiet acres, located in the countryside just 5 miles west of historic Providence. It not only offers a great day of fun, but also supports our Microelectronics Foundation.

Sue Bokil and Judi Eicher have created marvelous companion tours with a one-day tour of some of Newport, Rhode Island’s 11 historic mansions and landscapes. The 2nd day will include a trip to scenic Mystic Seaport in Mystic, CT, which has been a center of shipbuilding since the 1600s.

We will again this year have students from a local high school tour the Exhibit Hall to meet with our exhibitors. Our hope is that with this educational experience it will help launch a few of these young men and women towards a career in microelectronics.

On top of all this, your exceptional IMAPS Staff has worked hard to provide you with a great welcome reception, many daytime meetings & evening receptions, and our annual meeting & society awards to help you reconnect with old friends and meet new acquaintances. There is nothing better than a face-to-face meeting with customers, clients, vendors, business associates, and friends. Come join us in the great city of Providence, where you will enjoy a rich New England heritage.

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you in Providence.

Larry Rexing
Heraeus Inc. - Thick Film Division
larry.rexing@heraeus.com