SEMIEXPO Heartland 2026 Spotlights Innovation in Next-Generation Automotive Electronics and Smart Manufacturing

MILPITAS, Calif. – April 27, 2026 – The second edition of SEMIEXPO Heartland opens this week, April 29-30 at the Detroit Marriot at the Renaissance Center in Detroit, Michigan, centered around smart manufacturing, automotive electronics, and workforce development. The exposition will bring together innovators, manufacturers, suppliers, and emerging talent from across the semiconductor and microelectronics ecosystem for two days of high-impact networking and industry insight. Registration is open.

“SEMIEXPO Heartland will highlight smart mobility and smart manufacturing innovations – two critical end markets that play pivotal roles in the semiconductor industry’s path to $1 trillion,” said Joe Stockunas, President, SEMI Americas. “By bringing together the automotive and semiconductor ecosystems in Detroit—a hub for innovation, manufacturing and economic growth—we can collectively address industry challenges and accelerate the evolution toward software-defined, electrified, autonomous, and AI-enabled vehicles.”

Designed as a catalyst for collaboration, SEMIEXPO Heartland creates a dynamic environment where thought leaders, technology experts, and business decision-makers can engage in meaningful conversations about the future of the semiconductor supply chain. Attendees will experience a curated program featuring keynote presentations, technical sessions, and interactive panels that highlight the region’s rapidly expanding role in advanced manufacturing and chip innovation.

SEMIEXPO Heartland Conference Highlights

Keynote Speakers

• The Honorable Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan
• The Honorable Marek Laco, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor 
• GM: Linda Cadwell Stancin, Executive Director and Head of Research & Development
• KLA: John McLaughlin, Global ESG Leader & Ann Arbor Site Lead
• KLA: Vijay Ramachandran, Director, AI and Modeling Center of Excellence
• MIPS, A GlobalFoundries Company: Sameer Wasson, CEO 

SEMIEXPO Heartland will feature a focused exposition showcasing solution providers delivering the technologies, equipment, materials, and services driving smart manufacturing and smart mobility. The exhibits offer attendees a hands-on opportunity to explore real-world solutions, engage directly with technology experts, and identify partners addressing critical challenges across the semiconductor and microelectronics value chain from advanced manufacturing and automation to automotive electronics and workforce readiness.

Smart Manufacturing Sessions will focus on how digital twins are optimizing automotive manufacturing to realize the vision of lights-out factories, sensor-driven automation is transforming the shop floor, and the new wave of automotive chiplets and advanced packaging is revolutionizing vehicle electronics. Industry leaders in innovation and operations will share real-world case studies from the trenches—along with their vision for how physical AI and AI-driven processes will reshape automotive manufacturing. 

Smart Mobility Sessions will bring the automotive and semiconductor supply chains together with the goal to exchange perspectives on game-changing trends such as software-defined vehicles, self-driving cars, electrified mobility, and how all that is powered by cutting edge chip technologies, smart sensing systems, and artificial intelligence.

SEMI’s signature Workforce Development Pavilion will illuminate a different pathway to success. It is the perfect place to network with potential employers, discover job opportunities, learn about innovations in the industry, and navigate your career. 

View the full SEMIEXPO Heartland 2026 agenda for updates on speakers and to learn more. This year’s partners include the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and MSTAR. 

For press interested in attending SEMIEXPO Heartland 2026, please contact Sherrie Gutierrez at [email protected]. 

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About SEMI

SEMI® is the global industry association connecting over 4,000 companies and 1.5 million professionals worldwide across the semiconductor and electronics design and manufacturing supply chain. We accelerate member collaboration on solutions to top industry challenges through Advocacy, Workforce Development, Sustainability, Supply Chain Management and other programs. Our SEMICON® expositions and events, technology communities, standards and market intelligence help advance our members’ business growth and innovations in design, devices, equipment, materials, services and software, enabling smarter, faster, more secure electronics. Visit www.semi.org, contact a regional office, and connect with SEMI on LinkedIn and X to learn more.