Phoenix is upping its tech game by bringing SEMICON West, the premier microelectronics industry conference, to town from October 7-9. This big move from its long-time home in San Francisco positions Phoenix as a potential powerhouse in the semiconductor sector. According to a recent announcement, Mayor Kate Gallego celebrated this coup, saying, “Phoenix is proud to welcome SEMICON, deepening our ties with international partners in Asia, Europe, and beyond.”
The conference is expected to draw a crowd larger than any previous SEMICON West, with over 35,000 attendees making their way to the Phoenix Convention Center, the buzz is high and with it, a hefty injection of tourism dollars into the local economy, Mayor Gallego also remarked on how the event will “energize our economy, support local businesses, and cement Phoenix's place as America's semiconductor capital." The agenda for the event promises to spotlight Phoenix’s abilities, its workforce, and its role in global tech advancements.
Commenting on the strategic business implications, Christine Mackay, Director of the City of Phoenix Community and Economic Development Department, and soon-to-be CEO of GPEC, emphasized the collaborative effort behind the scenes stating, “Bringing SEMICON to Phoenix is the result of years of collaboration and determination,” and voicing her confidence that the event “validates our position as a global leader in semiconductors.”
Phoenix's Foreign-Trade Zone No. 75 is set to be a focal point during the conference, boasting in 2023 over $22 billion in merchandise received and $3 billion in exports, its merits are many, including duty deferral and streamlined customs procedures that help semiconductor, aerospace, and electronics firms to thrive, for a city that administers such a zone, the advantages for global tech growth are clear-cut. As per the statement obtained by the City of Phoenix’s newsroom site, the zone’s operational efficiencies are seen as a catalyst for the local economy.
Adjacent to the SEMICON conference is an equally important event focusing on the workforce; the Phoenix Workforce Coalition is hosting the “Future of Workforce in the Semiconductor Industry” discussion on October 10 at South Mountain Community College. Here, leaders from various sectors are converging to shape Phoenix's talent pipeline for the semiconductor industry, signifying the city’s committed approach to developing skilled professionals fit for the dynamic tech landscape.
