NORWALK, Conn. — The much-anticipated move of the Surface Mount Technology Association (SMTA) International conference is on target for 2000. The SMTA and Reed Exhibition Companies have announced plans to co-locate the annual San Jose, Calif., conference with the flagship Assembly Technology Expo (ATExpo) 2000 event. ATExpo is scheduled to take place September 26-28, 2000, at the Rosemont Convention Center in Chicago.

The decision to move SMTA was based, in part, on exhibitor and attendee feedback. While the conference program remains strong, the show floor attendance has declined over recent years, due to a decline in manufacturing in the Silicon Valley. The move to the Midwest market will offer exceptional opportunities to reach key electronics-manufacturing professionals.

According to Greg Evans, president of SMTA, “There is a lot of synergy between ATExpo and SMTA. We will nurture this new link between the thriving SMTA conference program and the highly successful ATExpo event.”

For more information on ATExpo events, contact Reed Exhibition Companies at 888-267-3796, or e-mail inquiry@assembly.reedexpo.com For speaking opportunities at SMTA International, contact the SMTA at 612-920-7682, or e-mail smta@smta.org