What SMTA does

SMTA (Surface Mount Technology Association) is a nonprofit professional association founded in 1984 in California and now headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. It serves the global electronics manufacturing industry by providing a knowledge-sharing, training, and networking platform for engineers, technicians, managers, and academics working across the surface mount technology and broader electronics assembly value chain. The organization operates an international network of more than 50 local chapters and alliance groups spanning the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Hong Kong, India, Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Ireland.

SMTA's product portfolio centers on three layers: technical knowledge assets (a peer-reviewed Journal of SMT, a Knowledge Base with thousands of articles and webinars, conference proceedings, and a co-powered Q&A Forum with 17,653+ threads); training and certification (self-paced online courses, the LearnLive virtual instructor-led training program, and the SMT Processes Certification program); and events (the annual SMTA International Conference & Exposition, AEAC in Asia and Europe, Pan Pacific, Wafer-Level Packaging, UHDI, Harsh Environments, Counterfeit Parts, and Cleaning and Conformal Coating conferences, plus regional Expos and Tech Forums). In 2025, SMTA added Max, an AI-powered research assistant trained on its proprietary content, available to members with unlimited access and to non-members with limited free interactions. Other initiatives include a Workforce Development Network, Women's Leadership Program, Career Center, and Young Professionals programming.

Revenue is generated through a tiered membership model (Individual at $125/yr, Student/Retired at $20, Developing Nation at $25, and Corporate Bronze/Silver/Gold at $1,000/$2,000/$5,000 annually covering up to 20/50/200 employee logins), conference and event registration fees, training course and LearnLive pricing ($199/course, $499 bundle), publications and bookstore sales, and corporate sponsorships. Revenue is not publicly disclosed. The association is governed by a member-elected Board of Directors and supported by a small headquarters staff of 1-10 employees plus an extensive volunteer and local chapter leadership base. Named Gold-level corporate members include Lockheed Martin, RTX, Collins Aerospace, Plexus, Keysight, Celestica, Indium, KYZEN, JBC Tools, and Google.

Name

SMTA

Legal name

SMTA (Surface Mount Technology Association)

Website

https://smta.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SMTA is a nonprofit professional association founded in 1984 that serves the global electronics manufacturing industry through 50+ local chapters, peer-reviewed publications, conferences, training programs, and the Max AI research assistant. It generates revenue via tiered individual and corporate memberships, conference registrations, training courses, and sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Eden Prairie

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees from individual and corporate members at various tiers (Individual, Student/Retired, Developing Nation, Corporate Bronze/Silver/Gold) providing access to resources, networking, and events.
2. Training and Education: Revenue from online training courses, virtual instructor-led training (LearnLive) programs, and certification programs for electronics assembly processes.
3. Conference and Event Registration: Fees from conference registrations, expositions, tech forums, and related events including SMTA International, regional expos, and specialized symposia.
4. Publications and Bookstore: Sales of technical books, conference proceedings, and digital downloads through the SMTA Bookstore.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

SMTA is a nonprofit professional association providing a global forum for knowledge exchange, training, and networking among electronics manufacturing professionals. It sells individual and corporate memberships, conference registrations (SMTA International, AEAC, Pan Pacific and specialized symposia), self-paced and instructor-led training courses (LearnLive), peer-reviewed publications (Journal of SMT, bookstore), an AI-powered research assistant (Max), and certification programs targeted at the surface mount technology and broader electronics assembly industry.

Product overview

SMTA is a professional association serving the electronics manufacturing industry, offering a comprehensive portfolio of products and services. The organization provides technical knowledge resources including the Max AI Assistant (an AI-powered research tool), online and virtual instructor-led training (LearnLive), conferences and expos (SMTA International, AEAC, and regional Tech Forums), peer-reviewed publications (Journal of SMT, Book Store), certification programs, career center, Q&A forum, and workforce development initiatives. The portfolio is unified through a membership-based model where individuals and corporations access training, networking, and knowledge resources across conferences, online platforms, and local chapter events worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SMTA Membership Annual membership subscriptions for individuals and corporations providing access to the SMTA Knowledge Base, training discounts, conference networking, technical resources, publications, and chapter events. Individual USD$125/year; Student/Retired USD$20/year; Developing Nation USD$25/year; Corporate Bronze USD$1,000 (20 logins), Silver USD$2,000 (50 logins), Gold USD$5,000 (200 logins).
• Max AI Assistant AI-powered research assistant trained on SMTA's knowledge base and educational programs, providing domain-specialized answers to electronics manufacturing questions. Unlimited access for members; up to 3 complimentary interactions per month for non-members.
• SMTA LearnLive Virtual instructor-led training (VILT) program offering immersive, expert-led training on three critical SMT processes: Stencil Printing, Component Placement, and Reflow Soldering. Priced at $199 per course or $499 for the 3-course bundle; SMTA membership required.
• Online Training Courses Self-paced online training courses covering electronics assembly process fundamentals including Stencil Printing, Component Placement, Reflow Soldering, Wave Soldering, Selective Soldering, Thermal Profiling, Cleaning, Rework, and SMT Troubleshooting Video Series.
• SMT Processes Certification Certification program for SMT processes validating competency in electronics assembly. Note: Currently undergoing updates and not scheduling additional courses at this time.
• Journal of SMT Peer-reviewed, open-access technical publication covering articles related to electronic assembly technologies, microsystems, emerging technologies, and related business operations.
• SMTA Bookstore Online store offering reference books for electronics manufacturing engineers, conference proceedings, and digital downloads, with titles reviewed and recommended by industry professionals.
• Electronics Assembly Q&A Forum Co-powered discussion board with SMTnet featuring over 17,600 threads related to PCB assembly and Surface Mount Technology, enabling members to get quick answers to process and assembly challenges.
• SMTA Career Center Career resource helping engineers, operators, managers, technicians, and executives find jobs or fill positions in the electronics manufacturing industry.
• SMTA International Conference & Exposition Annual flagship conference and exposition held in Rosemont, IL bringing together electronics manufacturing professionals worldwide. SMTA International 2025 included over 80 technical papers covering electronics manufacturing, additive manufacturing, advanced packaging, reliability, and harsh environments research.
• Advanced Electronics Assembly Conference (AEAC) Conference series covering the latest innovations in electronics manufacturing with expert-led technical presentations, including regional editions in Asia (held as part of THECA in partnership with THPCA) and Europe.
• Pan Pacific Strategic Electronics Symposium International technical exchange symposium promoting collaboration and networking among professionals and business leaders throughout the Pacific Basin.
• Wafer-Level Packaging Symposium Symposium addressing wafer-level and 3D device packaging, advanced manufacturing, and test technologies.
• AI Meets Electronics Manufacturing Symposium One-day event exploring how artificial intelligence is transforming every stage of electronics manufacturing, from design tools to AI-driven fabrication and automated assembly.
• Ultra High Density Interconnect (UHDI) Conference Conference addressing complexities and innovations in Ultra HDI technology for semiconductor industry pioneers, researchers, engineers, designers, and academia.
• Electronics in Harsh Environments Conference Conference covering challenges and best practices for building reliable electronic devices for harsh environments, including high density assemblies, power electronics, high temperature soldering, and new standards.
• Symposium on Counterfeit Parts and Materials Symposium addressing counterfeit electronics issues and supply chain challenges, with subject matter experts discussing how the industry is responding.
• High Reliability Cleaning and Conformal Coating Conference Conference addressing critical reliability issues including cleaning processes, conformal coating processes, and testing protocols for achieving highest levels of surface reliability.
• SMTA Expos & Tech Forums Regional events bringing together engineers, suppliers, and industry leaders to share technology, best practices, and innovation, including free technical sessions, lunch, and networking. Includes the Guadalajara Expo & Tech Forum (100+ exhibitors, 3,000+ attendees) and other regional expos in Mexico, USA, and Taiwan.
• Workforce Development Network Workforce development initiative leveraging local and regional support to bring together industry and academia to address skilled workforce challenges in electronics assembly and manufacturing.
• Women's Leadership Program Program promoting diversity and inclusion in engineering and manufacturing fields, including half-day programs at SMTA International and Wine Down Wednesdays virtual meetings.

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Thailand Printed Circuit Association (THPCA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026SMTA partnered with THPCA to expand the Advanced Electronics Assembly Conference (AEAC) to Asia. The conference is held as part of Thailand Electronics Circuit Asia (THECA) and delivers expert-led technical presentations on the latest innovations in electronics manufacturing.
• CelesticaminorOthersGold-level corporate member of SMTA with approximately 200 employee logins included in membership.
• GoogleminorOthersGold-level corporate member of SMTA with approximately 200 employee logins included in membership.
• Indium CorporationminorOthersGold-level corporate member of SMTA with approximately 200 employee logins included in membership.
• JBC ToolsminorOthersGold-level corporate member of SMTA with approximately 200 employee logins included in membership.
• Keysight TechnologiesminorOthersGold-level corporate member of SMTA with approximately 200 employee logins included in membership.
• KYZEN CorporationminorOthersGold-level corporate member of SMTA with approximately 200 employee logins included in membership.
• Lockheed MartinminorOthersGold-level corporate member of SMTA with approximately 200 employee logins included in membership.
• Plexus Corp.minorOthersGold-level corporate member of SMTA with approximately 200 employee logins included in membership.
• RTXminorOthersGold-level corporate member of SMTA with approximately 200 employee logins included in membership.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• SEMI: Global industry association for the semiconductor and electronics manufacturing supply chain, including SEMICON conferences. Adjacent to SMTA's semiconductor packaging content with overlapping corporate members and exhibitors.
• IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers): The world's largest technical professional organization for electronics and electrical engineering. Provides a much broader portfolio (publications, conferences, standards) but competes for the same individual engineering memberships and conference sponsorships.

Direct peers

• ECIA (Electronic Components Industry Association): Trade association for manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors of electronic components. Comparable member base and association services, with overlapping corporate sponsors and adjacent electronics manufacturing agenda.
• IPC (Association Connecting Electronics Industries): The primary US-headquartered trade association serving electronics manufacturing, including PCB fabrication, assembly, and standards. Directly competes with SMTA for corporate memberships, training revenue, and conference attendance (APEX vs. SMTA International).
• iNEMI (International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative): An industry-led consortium that coordinates technology roadmaps and projects across the electronics manufacturing supply chain. Overlaps with SMTA on technical agenda-setting and member engagement among large OEMs and EMS providers.
• MEPTEC (Microelectronics Packaging & Test Engineering Council): Industry group focused on microelectronics packaging and test, hosting technical events and networking for packaging engineers. Directly comparable mission with SMTA's Wafer-Level Packaging Symposium and advanced packaging track.

Regional players

• EIPC (European Institute for the PCB Community): European-based industry association for printed circuit board and electronics manufacturing. Targets the same engineering audience as SMTA's Europe chapter and conferences but with a primarily European footprint.

Others

• Surface Mount Technology Association (SMTnet): Long-running industry portal and online community for SMT/PCB assembly professionals. Co-powers SMTA's Q&A Forum and is an enabling ecosystem partner rather than a direct association competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/playlist?list=PL_IOWxDAe1wZA4vxewJX2ae5W9coqW4W9
• Xx.com/SMTAorg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/smta---surface-mounte-technology-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SMTA