SMYRNA, GA – PCB West, the annual Silicon Valley-based electronics design and manufacturing trade show, opens its exhibition halls today with the anticipation of large crowds.

Advance registration soared 18% year-over-year for the trade show, said UP Media Group, the event organizer.

“This is the second straight year we’ve seen a tremendous jump in registration,” said Mike Buetow, PCB West conference co-chair, “which we attribute the gains to the outstanding technical conference and leading exhibitors.” Conference attendance was up 35% last year, he added.

Now in its 20^th year, PCB West is being held September 27 – 29 at the Santa Clara (CA) Convention Center and is sponsored by the UP Media Group publications PRINTED CIRCUIT DESIGN & FAB and CIRCUITS ASSEMBLY.

PCB West provides show attendees – printed circuit board (PCB) engineers, designers, fabricators, assemblers and managers – with the most targeted conference in the PCB design industry.

PCB West 2011 includes a three-day technical conference consisting of more than 50 presentations, and a one-day exhibition, featuring the PCB industry's leading vendors; and an array of free technical sessions. Full details regarding the conference and exhibition are available at pcbwest.com.