# Hugs Before Handshakes: How IPC Mexico Is Winning Hearts and Minds at APEX 2025

- Show: [EMS@C-LEVEL](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level)
- Published: 2025-06-20
- Length: 7m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-06-20-hugs-before-handshakes-how-ipc-mexico-is-winning-hearts-and-minds-at-apex-2025

## Summary

Lorena Villanueva, leader of IPC Mexico, discusses the association's first dedicated pavilion at APEX 2025 and its 'three-helix' strategy involving state governments, academia, and industry. She explains how IPC Mexico shifted from a perceived US-centric entity to a locally resonant organization by empowering her team to build personal connections rather than imposing foreign methodologies. The conversation highlights the importance of cultural intelligence in fostering an ecosystem that supports workforce development and industry growth in regions like Querétaro and Guanajuato.

## Chapters

- [0:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-06-20-hugs-before-handshakes-how-ipc-mexico-is-winning-hearts-and-minds-at-apex-2025#t=8) Introduction and IPC Mexico's First APEX Pavilion
- [1:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-06-20-hugs-before-handshakes-how-ipc-mexico-is-winning-hearts-and-minds-at-apex-2025#t=63) The Three-Helix Strategy: Government, Academia, and Industry
- [3:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-06-20-hugs-before-handshakes-how-ipc-mexico-is-winning-hearts-and-minds-at-apex-2025#t=180) Localizing IPC: From US-Centric to Mexican Association
- [4:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-06-20-hugs-before-handshakes-how-ipc-mexico-is-winning-hearts-and-minds-at-apex-2025#t=274) Cultural Intelligence and Personal Connections
- [6:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-06-20-hugs-before-handshakes-how-ipc-mexico-is-winning-hearts-and-minds-at-apex-2025#t=382) Community Building and Regional Networking Events

## Topics

- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Maker community & events](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/maker-community)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- IPC (company)
- APEX (other)
- Querétaro (other)
- Guanajuato (other)
- Automation HR (company)
- Koh Young (company)
- Creative Electron (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [What to Expect at IPC APEX 2025: Standards, Innovation & Networking](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-04-16-what-to-expect-at-ipc-apex-2025-standards-innovation-networking) (OnTrack)
- [Mayan-on-Chip: Training Mexico's Next Semiconductor Engineers](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-07-15-mayan-on-chip-training-mexicos-next-semiconductor-engineers) (OnTrack)
- [Ally shoring: Expanding manufacturing operations into Mexico](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-11-15-ally-shoring-expanding-manufacturing-operations-into-mexico) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [Nearshoring Manufacturing from Asia to Mexico: Risks, Rewards, and Realities w/ Matt Hannula](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-10-07-nearshoring-manufacturing-from-asia-to-mexico-risks-rewards-and-realities-w-matt) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [PCB West 2025: Electronics Industry Insights with Mike Buetow](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-10-31-pcb-west-2025-electronics-industry-insights-with-mike-buetow) (OnTrack)

## Citing this page

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