Countdown to SEMICON West 2009

With only 2.5 weeks to go (you're all saying, really? it's that close?) until SEMICON West, I can see the activity building around this year's event. I've already talked about the increased focus on 3D this year. One thing I didn't mention yet are the various awards programs that are happening....or not.

Semi's own Best of the West Awards, launched last year to promote innovation and recognize important product and technology developments in the microelectronics supply chain, is back again for it's second year. The finalists were announced this week, and according to a press release, were selected "based on their financial impact on the industry, engineering or scientific achievement, and/or societal impact." On that list for the second time in two years is Alchimer, this time for it's AquiVia wet depostion technology. Last year, the company's egViaCoat electrografting process for copper seed made the list.

Absent from this year's line-up are both the Attendee's Choice Awards and the Advanced Packaging Awards. Instead, this year Solid State Technology and Advanced Packaging will honor those who have made it through this economic downturn through efforts to "compete, innovate and achieve" by bestowing the Semiconductor Survivor Awards. If you haven't already entered, you have until June 29.

One thing's for certain, people certainly are tapping into ingenuity this year to make the most out of SEMICON West on a tight budget. I think this really says something for the overall existance of the event. I mean, if it wasn't such an icon of the industry, companies would just pull out of it all together, wouldn't they? Maybe SEMI should get an honorary Survivor Award just for that. -- F.v.T.