Looking down a row of tables laid out with black table cloths, clean glasses, and trays of sandwiches. Event delegates serving themselves from either side. Set in the light and airy Event Space at Hinxton Hall Conference Centre.

Aug 8 2024

European Microelectronics and Packaging Conference at Hinxton Hall

The multi-day, biannual European Microelectronics and Packaging Conference 2023 – hosted by the UK every decade or so – was held at Hinxton Hall Conference Centre last September. We spoke with Stephen Riches, Secretariat at the UK Chapter of the International Microelectronics and Packaging Society, about why they chose Hinxton Hall and what they liked about our venue and staff.

Q: Please tell us a bit about the background of your conference and organisation.

SR: IMAPS-UK is the UK Chapter of the International Microelectronics and Packaging Society, a charitable organisation servicing the microelectronics assembly community in the UK. The EMPC 2023 Conference is the biannual European Microelectronics and Packaging Conference hosted very 10-12 years in the United Kingdom and organised by IMAPS-UK.

Q: Could you tell us why you chose Hinxton Hall Conference Centre to host your event?

SR: IMAPS-UK carried out a survey of possible conference venues around the UK with a forecast number of attendees of up to 300 including co-located space for exhibitors. Hinxton Hall Conference Centre offered the combination of large main conference and secondary rooms, a spacious co-located area for exhibitors and poster presentations and smaller rooms used for professional development courses.

Mid shot of two delegates chatting at the end of a session in the Auditorium.
Two exhibitor stands (Inseto and PacTech) with exhibitors. One talking to a man.
Speaker standing at podium of a medium sized meeting room with screen on his left. Shot shows a couple of front rows filled with event delegates - we can see mostly the back of their heads.
Row of exhibitor stands along the right-hand wall of the Hinxton Hall Conference Centre Event Space. Event delegates browsing.
Q: What did we do to make your event successful?

SR: The Event Organiser facilitated the arrangement of setting up a shell scheme within the Exhibition Space and took responsibility for the organisation of coach and taxi transport for attendees to and from Cambridge. The organisation of the conference presentations throughout was professionally handled with few technical issues.

Q: Did your event need any adaptations and how did our team support you with this?

SR: The Event Organiser was flexible in making changes to the original programme and enabled the conference to host a pizza and poster session on one of the evenings.

Q: What are the best aspect of the services and/or facilities available at the Conference Centre?

SR: The conference rooms are well equipped and supported by the AV team and the exhibition space allows for co-location of the refreshments/food, exhibitors and posters with excellent networking opportunities for delegates.

Fairly close up of two men in suits' backs looking intently at a poster.
Two groups of EMPC23 conference delegates sitting around poser tables with exhibitor stands behind them.
Looking down a row of tables laid out with black table cloths, clean glasses, and trays of sandwiches. Event delegates serving themselves from either side. Set in the light and airy Event Space at Hinxton Hall Conference Centre.
What was your experience of working with our events team?

All the staff in the Hinxton Hall Conference Team were helpful and willing to respond to issues as they arose. The planning during the preparation for the conference was detailed and several meetings were held in advance of the conference to ensure that most aspects were covered.

 

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer our questions and share your experience, Stephen. We hope to welcome you back in a decade!

 

Photography by Ben McDade.

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