As the booths are rolled up and the last coffee cup is cleared from the Boxboro Regency, I find myself reflecting on my first PCB East – equal parts conference, class reunion and boot camp in the best possible way.
For those keeping score: more than 75 hours of technical training, over 65 exhibitors and four days of navigating everything from RF to AI, with a healthy dash of grounding, stackups and differential pairs thrown in.
As someone new to the industry and these events, I came in expecting to observe. I did not expect to be scribbling notes in the margins of my notebook while having both witty and information-packed conversations.
It’s been humbling and wildly energizing to meet so many people who are not only deeply knowledgeable but uncommonly generous with their insight – and let’s be honest – patience. Everyone I encountered, from first-time attendees to legends of the field (yes, Rick Hartley is as formidable as promised), made the technical content feel accessible without ever dumbing it down.
Susy Webb, one of the conference’s most respected voices, summed up the week’s momentum succinctly: “My class went really well. More attendees than ever before!” The growth in attendance was echoed across sessions and evident in hallway conversations.
Erico Yamato noted the practical value of this year’s curriculum: “More on EMI in the classes allowed for engineers to get real-world responses and feedback in the session.” That spirit of hands-on learning, shared challenges and deep dives into complex topics created a sense of forward motion – one that extended beyond the classroom.
And then there’s Steph – known formally as Stephen V. Chavez, and informally as one of the most encouraging presences at the show. His take on the event was as heartfelt as it was purposeful: “Helping people network to make a positive difference in their lives.”
Steph also offered a bit of timeless advice to the next generation of designers: “Strive every day to be a better version of you than the day before.”
A few takeaways from this first-timer:
- There is no such thing as "just a basics class." Fundamentals have layers.
- “AI in PCB design” isn’t a buzzword – it's an oncoming train.
- The Wednesday night meetup may have involved more signal than noise, socially speaking.
- Never underestimate the power of a good diagram, and someone willing to explain it twice.
As managing editor of PCEA, I’m aiming to carry these conversations forward – not just in our coverage, but in how we highlight the evolution of this community. You’ve made a strong first impression. Here’s hoping I returned the favor, even just a little.
See you next year – ideally with a sharper eye for grounding schemes and the right shoes for the expo floor.
RYANN HOWARD is the Managing Editor for PCEA and can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
