WASHINGTON, D.C.—MAY 3, 2012—The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), representing U.S. leadership in semiconductor manufacturing and design, announced that it will host the 2012 World Semiconductor Council (WSC) meeting in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. from May 21‐25. The annual WSC meeting brings together industry leaders from China, Chinese Taipei, Europe, Japan, Korea and the U.S. to promote global semiconductor industry trade activities, cooperation and growth. Key public policy initiatives in the areas of international trade, global environment and climate change, and the protection of intellectual property will be among the many topics of discussion.

“The WSC meeting provides a significant opportunity to facilitate productive dialogue and engagement on critical international trade issues at the CEO level,” said Rich Beyer, Chairman and CEO, Freescale and 2012 Chairman of the Semiconductor Industry Association. “We are looking forward to hosting a prestigious international delegation and showcasing the semiconductor and technology innovation cluster in the region.”

In partnership with GLOBALFOUNDRIES, the Center for Economic Growth, and the Saratoga Tourism and Convention Bureau, the SIA chose to host the WSC meeting in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. due to the area’s fast-emerging status as a hotbed for semiconductor innovation.  

The combined presence of GLOBALFOUNDRIES' $4.6 billion investment in Fab 8, IBM and the College of Nanoscale Science & Engineering (CNSE) at the University of Albany, contributed to the SIA's selection of upstate New York as the 2012 WSC meeting location. 

“Our investments in innovative research partnerships, education initiatives and Fab 8, one of the most advanced semiconductor fabs in the world, are supporting the semiconductor industry’s impact on the U.S. economy and helping to revitalize New York’s Tech Valley,” said Ajit Manocha, CEO, GLOBALFOUNDRIES and 2012 Vice Chairman of the Semiconductor Industry Association. “Not only is the WSC an excellent opportunity to highlight the region and our new innovative investments here, it is also an important opportunity for the industry’s leaders to negotiate significant public policy, trade and regulatory issues, which will have far-reaching implications for the future of our global industry.”

The recent announcement of theGlobal 450 Consortium -- a $4.8 billion investment by the State of New York in partnership with Intel, IBM, GLOBALFOUNDRIES, TSMC and Samsung to create the next generation of computer chip technology -- reinforced the SIA’s decision.

“The Center for Economic Growth is pleased to partner with the SIA and others to bring the World Semiconductor Council Meeting to New York’s Capital Region. The semiconductor industry is continuing to grow and evolve globally and across New York. Working with the Cuomo Administration, GLOBALFOUNDRIES and our many regional partners to host such an important industry event gives us the opportunity to highlight our regional technology assets and success stories to a critically important global audience,” said F. Michael Tucker, President & CEO of the Center for Economic Growth.

The semiconductor industry is the only industry to host an annual international meeting at the CEO level that later makes recommendations to a meeting of governments and authorities from the six participating regions on behalf of the worldwide industry. The semiconductor industry is seen as the most strategic industry in the world, driving innovation in all sectors, sparking investment in education, research and development and traditional infrastructure improvements, and helping to secure the nation’s economic and national security. 

Hosted by the U.S. once every six years, the WSC meetings provide an opportunity to showcase the host region through industry dinners and receptions, interaction with government and state officials, site visits to local universities, and other areas relevant to the semiconductor industry.