From The Editor | May 3, 2023

IMS2023: The Coolest Ideas Under The Sun

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By John Oncea, Editor

IMS '24

Guys! We’re getting so close to IMS2023 I can almost smell the tacos, carne asada fries, and beer! This year’s conference and exhibition is taking place in San Diego from June 11 to 16 and will feature more than 450 exhibitors from around the world.

This is a gathering of thousands of RF and microwave professionals who will have the opportunity to network, learn about innovative theories and practices from around the world, and visit the exhibition. In addition to IMS, the week of learning and networking also includes the RFIC conference, the 99th ARFTG conference, numerous workshops, technical lectures, and boot camps.

Have you registered? Early bird registration ends on May 12 and advanced registration runs through June 8. There are four types of registration to choose from: Superpass, IMS, RFIC Symposium, and ARFTG Conference. All four will get you into the IMS Plenary Session and Welcome Reception on Monday and the exhibition on Tuesday through Thursday. The Superpass will give you access to all of the following:

  • IMS technical sessions and electronic proceedings; RFIC technical sessions and electronic proceedings
  • RFIC Plenary Session, Industry Showcase, and Reception on Sunday evening; ARFTG technical sessions and electronic proceedings
  • One full-day workshop (or two half-day workshops)
  • One Technical Lecture
  • Electronic proceedings for all workshops
  • MTT-S Awards Banquet on Wednesday

A Quick Look At Main Events

The opening plenary session will take place on June 12 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the ballroom of the San Diego Convention Center (Room 20). Opening addresses will be given by Nuño Borges Carvalho, President of the MTT-S, as well as by IMS conference chairs Gayle Collins and John Wood. In addition, IEEE President Saifur Rahman will present awards to two Society members: The 2023 IEEE Transportation Technologies Award to Holger Meinel and the 2023 IEEE Electromagnetics Award to John Bandler.

Welcome Reception: The welcome reception will be held on June 12 in the Sails Pavilion from 7 to 9 p.m., right after the plenary session. The Sails Pavilion is directly across from the Plenary Ballroom on the top floor of the Convention Center. The theme of this year’s reception is “Latin American Street Party” and will feature a range of Latin American finger foods, music, and dancing, as well as a chance to meet many of the other conference attendees.

Industry Reception: The traditional industry reception will take place on June 14 from 5 to 6 p.m. on the exhibition floor. There will be a themed beach party vibe and food, beer, and wine will be served in the aisles and from participating sponsors’ booths. Attendees also can visit the “game zone” to compete with colleagues in assorted fun activities.

Closing Session: The IMS closing session will be held on June 15 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in the ballroom of the San Diego Conference Center. At the closing session, the IMS Best Paper prizes will be awarded for:

  • Best Student Paper
  • Career Paper
  • Best Industry Paper
  • Advanced Practice Awards

The Student Design Competition Prize winners also will be announced, as will the winners of the MTT-Sat Competition for the design of novel cubesat space hardware that is capable of being put into space. The three finalists, from more than 20 starters, will demonstrate their designs and explain their projects in the Systems Pavilion during the exhibition.

Industry Showcase: The industry showcase will be held immediately before the opening plenary session from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the Sails Pavilion just outside the ballroom where the plenary will be. The industry showcase will feature the best papers at IMS from industrial authors who will present their work in poster form and potentially give a demonstration of their project. It is an opportunity for conference attendees to see the best industrial research and advanced practice, and to discuss this work with the top technical folks from the industry.

Quick Hits

  • This is the first time that IMS has been held in San Diego since 1994.
  • The first gathering was held in 1952 In New York City though it was hosted by the Professional Group of Microwave Theory and Techniques (PGMTT). At least 10 papers were presented and 210 people attended.
  • There will be three focus themes to highlight several areas of RF and microwave engineering that are of topical interest or impact. These themes are Systems & Applications, Space, and Biomedical Applications.
  • Planning ahead? IMS2024 will take place June 16 to 21 in Washington, DE before returning to the West Coast – San Francisco – in 2025.