Learning Lounge

APEX EXPO 2026 – Learning Lounge | March 17–19, 2026 | Anaheim, CA

The Learning Lounge is located at the back of Exhibit Hall C-D, opposite the main hall entrance near rows 3600 and 3800. Sessions run throughout show floor hours, Tuesday through Thursday, March 17–19, giving attendees flexibility to drop in between booth visits, grab lunch, and engage with speakers in a relaxed setting.

The Learning Lounge represents exactly what APEX EXPO does best: bringing together industry expertise, practical education, and networking opportunities in ways that genuinely benefit attendees. Last year proved the concept. This year promises to deliver even more value.

Presentation Format & Event Details:

  • Dates: March 17–19, 2026
  • Location: Learning Lounge, Show Floor, APEX EXPO 2026 – Anaheim, California
  • Format: 30–60-minute presentations with optional Q&A
  • Audience: Electronics industry professionals involved in workforce training, education, and certification

10:30 am - 11:15 am | Sustainability Panel 1
Moving the Needle: Real Talk on Sustainability Progress

Panelists: Andy Behr, Panasonic; Thomas Cetta, Jabil; Joel Scutchfield, Koh Young

Moderator: John Mitchell, President and CEO, Global Electronics Association
Session Description

11:30 am - 12:00 pm | Unlocking Team Performance: The Art and Science of Team Collaboration

Michael Hidalgo, 5 Voices Certified Consultant
Session Description 

 

1:30 pm - 2:30 pm | Achieving Coating Excellence: Preventing and Resolving Common Conformal Coating Defects

Doug Pauls, Consultant - Retired Sr. Fellow Collins Aerospace, ItDepends, LLC
Session Description

 

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm | Beyond Clicks for Compliance: Redefining Learning Culture Through Feedback, Deliverables, and Human-Centered Design

Daniel Wall-DeSousa, Manager of Learning and Development, SMTC Corporation
Session Description

 

4:15 pm - 5:00 pm | Leveraging Communities of Practice to Drive Individual and Industry Success

Cami Marcom, Manager of Workforce Partnerships, Global Electronics Association
Session Description

9:30 am - 10:15 am | Unlock CA Training Dollars: How to Maximize ETP Benefits Through Global Electronics Association

Victoria Hawkins, Director of Grants and Proposals, Global Electronics Association
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10:30 am - 11:15 am | AI in Electronics Manufacturing - From Data to Intelligence

Hugo Leite, Industry Manager for Electronics / SMT, Critical Manufacturing
Session Description

 

11:30 am - 12:30 pm | Building a Better Workforce: The Five Practices of High Impact Training

Karen Smalls, CIT, EEI Manufacturing Services
Session Description

 

1:30 pm - 2:30 PM | Achieving Coating Excellence: Preventing and Resolving Common Conformal Coating Defects

Doug Pauls, Consultant - Retired Sr. Fellow Collins Aerospace, ItDepends, LLC
Session Description

 

2:30 pm - 3:30 pm | Building in Mexico: Regional Advantages for Electronics Manufacturing Across Sonora, Guanajuato, and Querétaro

Rafael Chavez
Arturo Fernández Díaz-González
Alejandro Hernández Fonseca
Session Description

 

3:30 pm - 4:30 pm | Proving the ROI of Training: Insights from Veteran Electronics Trainers

Geoffrey M Fulgione, Principal Specialist, Raytheon
Marcia M McLaughlin, Technical Project Manager, EPTAC, MIT
Debie Vorwald, MIT/PR Quality Instructor, Collins Aerospace
Session Description 

 

4:45 pm - 5:45 pm | Sustainability Panel 2
Lost in Translation: Why Data is Sustainability’s Biggest Bottleneck

Panelists: Francis D’Souza, Banyan.eco and Manuel Ferreira de Almeida, Makersite

Moderator: Kelly Scanlon from the Evolve sustainability program at the Global Electronics Association
Session Description
 

9:30 am - 10:30 am | Smarter Training for Smarter Machines: Empowering Teams That Keep Equipment Running

Joe Clure, Head of Application/Demo Center, Kurtz Ersa Inc.

Ken Richey, Training Manager Americas Region, ASMPT

Evan Howard, Vice President of Sales, Schmoll America

Brad Ward, Application Engineering Manager: Inspection Systems Division, OMRON
Session Description

 

10:45 am - 11:45 | Building Boards for AI: Equipment Challenges & Capabilities for High-Performance Computing

Gary Burroughs, Senior Manager, Regional Sales Latin America, ASMPT

Dave Heller, Heller Industries

Jesper Lykke, President & CEO, Viscom, Inc.
Session Description 

 

12:00 pm - 12:30 pm | Illinois Quantum Technology Hub: Opportunities for Electronics and Other Manufacturing

Preeti Chalsani, Illinois Economic Development Corporation
Session Description

 
 

Questions? Contact Carlos Plaza, Sr. Director Education Development carlosplaza@electronics.org