Global Expo For Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology, Business And Investment; Early Program Registration Available Until July 1

SAN JOSE, Calif.,/PRNewswire/ -- SEMICON West, the world's most comprehensive event devoted to the global supply chain for semiconductor and related microelectronics manufacturing, will feature programs and events the week of July 11-15 and a 3,500-booth product exhibition July 12-14 at Moscone Center in San Francisco. Early program registration for the event is available until July 1.

SEMICON West 2005 will present more than 1,400 exhibiting companies from 25 countries showcasing the latest developments in semiconductor and related microelectronic manufacturing equipment, materials and services. Additionally, the exposition offers an extensive schedule of programs and events to facilitate increased contact and information exchange within the semiconductor community. Last year, more than 50,000 people registered for the week-long show, making it the largest microelectronics technology exposition in North America.

"Industry professionals come to SEMICON West from around the world to see the latest manufacturing technology, interact with each other and gain insights about the future of microelectronics manufacturing," said Vicki Hadfield, president of SEMI North America. "The expo integrates opportunities for education, information exchange and personal contact in an extensive array of compelling events and technology exhibits."

The new Emerging Technologies Hall will transform the Moscone Esplanade Hall into a special platform to highlight cutting-edge applications that are advancing semiconductor, nanotechnology, MEMS, Electronic Design Automation, and e-Manufacturing technology. The venue will feature the Technology Innovation Showcase (TIS) -- a presentation of 24 jury-selected, elite and potentially disruptive technologies. Visitors to the Emerging Technologies Hall will also enjoy access to a WiFi hotspot lounge.

In addition to exhibits of new equipment, technology and services, SEMICON West 2005 will serve as a platform for discussion of the industry's most pressing topical issues at a number of key events, including: the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS) 2005 update, the SEMI Market Symposium, the IEMT Final Manufacturing Forum, the SEC/N Used Equipment Seminar, the Fab Managers Forum, the Technology Innovation Showcase (TIS), the Bulls and Bears Investor Conference and a number of stimulating executive keynote presentations and panel discussions.

Prominent industry executives delivering thought-provoking talks in conjunction with the SEMICON West "Voices of the Industry" keynote sessions will include:

-- Tim Eckersley, senior vice president, Customer and Market Operations, Nokia Americas (on Tuesday, July 12, 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.)
-- Tien Wu, Ph.D., president, Americas & Europe; Worldwide Marketing & Sales, ASE (U.S.) Inc. (on Tuesday, July 12, 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.)
-- Bernard S. Meyerson, Ph.D., IBM Fellow, vice president and chief technologist, IBM Systems and Technology Group (on Wednesday, July 13, 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.)
-- Robert R. Doering, Ph.D., co-chair, International Roadmap Committee (U.S.) and senior fellow, Silicon Technology Development, Texas Instruments (on Thursday, July 14, 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.)

Additional perspective on current business, technology and investment issues will be explored during executive panel discussions including:

-- Changing Business Paradigms in Semiconductor Manufacturing, to be moderated by Steve Buehler, editor-in-chief of Semiconductor Manufacturing Magazine on Wednesday, July 13, 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m., will include executive panelists from AMD, Amkor, Cadence, Chartered Semiconductor and fabless manufacturers.
-- ITRS Challenges and Opportunities, to be moderated by Peter Singer, editor-in-chief of Semiconductor International on Thursday, July 14, 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., will include executive panelists from Air Products, Lam Research, Nikon Precision, and VLSI Research.
-- SEMInvest 2005: Bulls and Bears, to be moderated by Richard S. Hill, chairman and CEO, Novellus Systems, Inc. on Thursday, July 14, 11:30 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. will include an lively discussion with seven leading industry financial analysts.

The "Voices of the Industry" Keynote Presentations and the Executive Panels will be held at the SEMICON West "Center Stage" located on the third level of the new Moscone West and are offered at no charge on a first-come-first-serve basis to registered attendees.

Kevin Kettler, chief technology officer, Dell Inc., will be the featured opening speaker at the SEMI Market Symposium on Monday, July 11 at the San Francisco Marriott Hotel. Additionally, analysts from SEMI and Gartner Dataquest will provide a midyear update and forecast for the semiconductor, capital equipment and semiconductor materials industries as well as highlight opportunities in nanotechnology.

SEMI and IEEE Components, Packaging, and Manufacturing Technology (CPMT) Society will host the 30th IEEE International Electronics Manufacturing Technology Symposium (IEMT) 2005 in conjunction with SEMICON West 2005. This year's IEMT combines a full day of professional development courses on Monday, July 9 with a one-day plenary track of invited papers on "Manufacturing at the Wafer Level" on Tuesday, July 12 at the San Francisco Marriott Hotel.

The Fab Managers Forum will be held for the third time at SEMICON West at the San Francisco Marriott Hotel on Wednesday, July 13. The forum focuses on Design for Manufacturing (DFM), an imperative for 90 nm device manufacturing to achieve sustainable yields. DFM must incorporate customer requirements, mask complexities, fab process tolerances, and equipment capabilities. Speakers from each of these areas will discuss requirements and challenges for the DFM process.

Standards development will be a key activity during SEMICON West 2005. More than 100 standards meetings will be held at the San Francisco Marriott Hotel to discuss draft documents in areas such as factory automation software, MEMS, EH&S, and material/carrier identification. In addition, seven Standards Technical Education Programs (STEPs) will be conducted as part of the exposition package. For further information on SEMI standards activities during SEMICON West visit http://www.semi.org/standards.

For more information about SEMICON West 2005, including exhibits-only and paid program registration, visit the SEMICON West 2005 website at http://www.semi.org/semiconwest, or call SEMI Customer Service at 408-943-6901.

SEMI is a global industry association serving companies that develop and provide manufacturing technology, materials and services to make semiconductors, flat panel displays (FPDs), micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) and related microelectronics. SEMI maintains offices in Austin, Beijing, Brussels, Hsinchu, Moscow, San Jose (Calif.), Seoul, Singapore, Tokyo, Shanghai and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit SEMI at http://www.semi.org.

Source: SEMI