19 years ago, I stepped on American east coast to start a new journey of my life. About the same time, CASPA was established by a group of energetic professionals in the American west coast - Silicon Valley. In 19 years, CASPA has grown from a small local group to a globalized organization with 9 chapters and four thousands members strong. It has played an important role in semiconductor professional world. CASPA offers its members and sponsors a great platform for high-tech knowledge exchange, career development, bridging VC and innovations, as well as enabling talent recruiting.

It is almost coincidence, 19 years later, my journey crossed with CASPA. It is a true honor to assume the responsibilities as chairman and president of CASPA, one of the most influential and respected professional association.

The new 2010 CASPA team already had a great start. Right after our annual conference, CASPA organized a high level delegation to attend 10th Beijing International Microelectronic Symposium (BIMS). As co-organizer from oversea, CASPA delivered a successful Merge and Acquisition Forum at BIMS. The delegation met with Beijing Semiconductor Industry Association and discussed future collaboration between 2 sides. After BIMS event, the delegation visited Beijing Investment Bureau and Economic Development Committee; had a round table meeting with China Chamber of Commerce and Zhong Guancun high-tech park; visited Tianjin Economic - Technological Development Area (TEDA), which is one of the finest state-sponsored development area in northern China. Many new opportunities have been identified and follow up actions are being executed.

CASPA had also assembled an extremely high profile team of distinguished speakers for the 2010 Spring Symposium. SEMI senior director Dr. Daniel Tracy, Intel VP Dr. Peng Bai, Berkeley Ernest Kuh Endowed Chair Professor Dr. Xiang Zhang, Cadence Sr. VP & Chief Strategic Officer Dr. Charlie Huang and Sr. VP of EMC Dr. Charles Fan together gave inspiring presentations at Intel Auditorium to over 200 audiences. They analyzed semiconductor recovery and gave future vision from both market and technical point of view. Their talks generated a lot of interests during the Q&A sessions and afterwards.

CASPA SEMICON China delegation kept the tradition to coordinate with our major alliance - SEMI. As SEMICON China co-organizer, CASPA invited several companies from Silicon Valley to attend SEMI IC Pavilion for the first time. With the great help from CASPA Shanghai chapter, the delegation also visited SICA, ICRD, SMIC and Zhangjiang High Tech Park. The delegation paid a special visit to Dr. Jiang Shangzhou, Chairman of SMIC and new president of Chinese Semiconductor Industry Association, who has also become CASPA's honorable advisor during this meeting. The delegation also had a celebrated night with CASPA shanghai chapter, during which many new and old CASPA members enjoyed a very friendly dinner.

The new SIG group organized serious special seminars including 3D imaging, New Energy, Enabling Home Area Network, as well as career and financial development. CASPA also hosted several delegations from Beijing, Shanghai, Wuxi etc. Besides, CASPA co-sponsored HiRecruit Job Fair, a major talent recruiting events from Taiwan, as well as celebration dinner party for Nobel Prize winner Charles K. Kao. We just achieved a major milestone to dramatically improve our web page. The new web design is simple, clear and easily scalable to more features and content enhancement. CASPA will be able to operate more efficiently with the help of the new web face. Looking ahead, we have planned a very full agenda anchored by 2 more major symposiums and summer job fair. CASPA will also host a series of international delegations including delegations from Tianjin, Suzhou, and Shanghai etc. Furthermore, we will have a series of special seminars, as well as member mixer and team building events. We are still facing many challenges in 2010. But I am fully confident that CASPA, with its great tradition, with the dedication from our board members, with support from our sponsors and members, will be even stronger and be here years ahead to serve our communities.