APRIL 22, 2026 – “Focus on PCB – From Design to Assembly” expands its program with a comprehensive, cross-disciplinary offering. On May 13 and 14, 2026 in Vicenza, alongside the presence of leading European and global exhibitors in the printed circuit board industry, NürnbergMesse Italia’s event will host initiatives showcasing expertise, innovation, and direct dialogue among PCB supply chain operators

FOCUS ON LAB: PRACTICAL TRAINING AND TECHNICAL UPDATES
Focus on LAB is Focus on PCB 2026’s new initiative: a hands-on PCB design workshop developed in collaboration with Prof. Marco Carminati from Politecnico di Milano, where students and companies work together on real-time design projects. The workshop combines a brief theoretical introduction with practical design activities. Students work in pairs to design a PCB using professional software. They are supported by technicians and industry experts. Fair visitors can actively participate through a dedicated workstation. The PCBs designed will be evaluated and verified during the fair and then produced and delivered to the students during a follow-up meeting at Politecnico di Milano in the following weeks.

This workshop is made possible thanks to sponsorships from ACX Design, Fineline Italy, and PreventLab. Professional software is provided by Var Industries/Siemens EDA and Artedas/Cadence Design Systems. Alessandro Checchia (ACX Design), Roberto Lavelli (PreventLab), and Roberto Spaiardi (Fineline Italy) will lead the session, while Var Industries will handle layout verification and Ottavia Tameni will prepare comprehensive electronic reports of the findings. Focus on LAB offers visitors an immersive experience at the heart of Focus on PCB 2026. Visitors can observe professional processes and industry software firsthand and have direct contact with companies and young talents. They can also discover tools and approaches applicable to their own work.

HUB FARE IMPRESA: ADDRESSING INDUSTRY CHALLENGES THROUGH NETWORKING AND SHARED EXPERTISE
The shortage of specialized technical skills is one of the main challenges facing companies in the electronics and manufacturing industries today. According to a study by The European House – Ambrosetti in collaboration with ANIE Confindustria (“Towards new industrial competitiveness in Europe: the strategic role of electrical and electronics engineering,” 2025), more than 75% of companies report difficulty finding qualified technical professionals, and about 70% have slowed or suspended strategic projects due to a lack of expertise.
In this critical context, Focus on PCB has partnered with Gi Group, a leading international HR services provider, to provide concrete support to exhibiting companies and the event community.

In the “Hub Fare Impresa” area (booth A32), Gi Group will have a dedicated space where they will offer expertise and consulting services for recruiting and human resources development in the technical-industrial sector. Furthermore, students will participate in activities that use gamification tools to maximize engagement. The collaboration also includes a session in the conference program. On May 14 at 2:15 p.m., Marianna Marrazzo and Giacomo Recalcati from Gi Group will present a case study on their Training Hub model during the “Tech Me Up” speech. This project connects the world of education with industry needs through structured programs aimed at job placement. The service ecosystem is enriched by the participation of companies such as weprosperitY, which is active in agile financing and business development support, as well as industry associations such as ANIE Componenti Elettronici and Assodel.

Hub Fare Impresa aims to provide exhibiting companies with access to the expertise and tools necessary to address today’s major market challenges, from human capital to development and growth.
“The difficulty in finding technical expertise is one of the main obstacles to developing the electronics sector today. It is therefore increasingly important to create concrete opportunities for companies to meet new talent,” says Danny D’Alessandro, Managing Director of NürnbergMesse Italia. Focus on PCB 2026 aims to be that opportunity.

EXHIBITION: “BEYOND THE PCB: DOCUMENTATION AND IDENTITY OF DESIGN TOOLS”
Following the success of the 2025 edition, which featured “Traces in Time: The Evolution of PCB Design,” this year’s exhibition, “Beyond the PCB: Documentation and Identity of Design Tools,” shifts the focus to explore the theme of technical documentation and the identity of the tools used in design. It is a journey that reflects on how tools and documentation processes tell the story of innovation and evolution in the printed circuit board industry. Curated by Gianluca Lualdi and Simone Tameni.

IPC HAND SOLDERING COMPETITION 2026: NEW WIRING CATEGORY
Focus on PCB 2026 is once again hosting Italy’s only stop of the IPC Hand Soldering Competition, an international competition promoted by the Global Electronics Association. The competition showcases the technical expertise and professionalism of operators from across Europe.
In 2026, the competition will feature a new category: wiring. This will offer participants the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in an area that is becoming increasingly strategic and in demand in the market, where the integration of different technical specialties is becoming ever more central.

DYNAMIS PRC: TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION AND APPLIED RESEARCH
Dynamis PRC, the racing team from Politecnico di Milano founded in 2004 within the Department of Mechanics, will present a concrete example of engineering design applied to motorsport at Focus on PCB 2026. Composed of over 100 students, the team develops a full-electric single-seater each year for the international Formula Student competition. Currently ranked third in the World Ranking List, Dynamis PRC stands out as one of the most competitive university teams globally. At the fair, the car prototype and electronic components developed in collaboration with partner companies will be on display, along with informational materials about the team’s history and achievements.

Through this program of sideline events, Focus on PCB 2026 reinforces its position as a European platform dedicated to fostering the growth of the printed circuit board supply chain, where expertise, innovation, and connections between industry, education, and research converge in a tangible manner.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Focus on PCB 2026

Dates: 13–14 May 2026

Venue: IEG Exhibition Centre, Vicenza, Italy
Organised by NürnbergMesse Italia, promoted by the Assodel PCB Group and hosted by IEG – Italian Exhibition Group, under the patronage of the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) and ANIE Componenti Elettronici.
The 2025 edition hosted 147 exhibitors from 19 countries, with a 15% increase in visitors compared to 2024 and significant international participation. Since 2025, Focus on PCB has been officially recognised by the Veneto Region as an Event of International Relevance.
More information at www.focusonpcb.it