SEMI Announces Launch of New SOLARCON Events in Korea, China, and Singapore

SEMI, the global trade association for the microelectronics manufacturing industry and organizer of SEMICON® expositions, and PV Group, the global association for the photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing supply chain, have announced the launch of SOLARCON, a new series of trade events dedicated to serving the rapidly growing photovoltaic manufacturing market.

The new events and dates announced are:

--  SOLARCON Korea, January 20-22, 2009, COEX, Seoul, Korea
--  SOLARCON China, March 17-19, 2009, SNIEC, Shanghai, China
--  SOLARCON Singapore, May 20-22, 2009, Suntec Exhibiton Centre,
    Singapore

Each of the SOLARCON events will be co-located with existing SEMICON events in the regions. In co-locating with SEMICON, SOLARCON will leverage the existing visitor and show infrastructure, allowing exhibiting companies serving the photovoltaic and microelectronics markets to reach both communities without needing multiple exhibits in multiple events. The co-location strategy also continues SEMI's commitment to grow existing shows and partnerships while reducing the proliferation of new stand-alone events.

The introduction of SOLARCON addresses the expanding market for and rising interest in photovoltaic manufacturing technology. In recent years, PV has been a fast-growing segment of SEMICON events around the world as PV buyers have flocked to SEMI events to see the leading suppliers and a broad range of process, automation, materials, quality control, and other technologies that serve both industries. As the PV industry has grown, the unique needs of the PV community at SEMICON events have merited a dedicated exposition supported by exclusive programs, audience recruitment, networking events, promotional opportunities, and other features. Current SEMICON exhibitors who serve both the microelectronics and PV industries will especially benefit from the expanded reach and buying power of the co-located events.

"The introduction of SOLARCON will allow SEMI to address issues, showcase technologies, and develop programs focused on photovoltaic manufacturing in a forum specifically dedicated to the needs of the PV industry," said Stanley Myers, president and CEO of SEMI. "We are excited to expand our service to this important growing market and to foster new opportunities for the solar community."

The SOLARCON events in Korea, China, and Singapore join other SEMI and PV Group-sponsored and supported PV events including PV Japan, Intersolar (Munich), and Intersolar North America, the latter co-located with SEMICON West in San Francisco.

About SEMI

SEMI is the global industry association serving the manufacturing supply chains for the microelectronic, display and photovoltaic industries. SEMI member companies are the engine of the future, enabling smarter, faster and more economical products that improve our lives. Since 1970, SEMI has been committed to helping members grow more profitably, create new markets and meet common industry challenges. SEMI maintains offices in Austin, Beijing, Brussels, Hsinchu, Moscow, San Jose, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo, and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.semi.org .

About PV Group

As the global association for the photovoltaic (PV) supply chain, the PV Group is committed to delivering targeted, high value, productive solar exhibitions and conferences to the industry and our members. Working with industry partners and existing events, the PV Group supports events that encourage collaboration on industry roadmaps, align with customer priorities, and focus on common industry obstacles.

ASSOCIATION CONTACT: Scott Smith SEMI Tel: 1.408.943.7957 Email: Email Contact