NORDTECH Workforce Development Summit
Hosted by Cornell University in Ithaca, New York
Tuesday, September 22, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
NORDTECH’s 2026 Workforce Development Summit will focus on advancing high-impact strategies to strengthen the domestic talent pipeline focused on microelectronics and related emerging innovation-centered technologies related to chips and semiconductors in the U.S.
NORDTECH anticipates an engaging day centered on interactive discussion formats that bring together industry, academic, and government partners. The day will feature keynote speeches, a panel discussion among leaders, student testimonials, and site tours. Participants will contribute to aligning workforce development efforts with broader strategic economic priorities—ensuring the connection of talent and skills to the opportunities around driving sustained value creation, innovation, and competitiveness across microelectronics communities and industries.
Event Highlights
NORDTECH anticipates an engaging day with participation from Department of War (DOW) Workforce Leadership, as well as many key industry and academic partners.
Networking Happy Hour: Join us the evening of Monday, September 21
Opening Remarks: Dr. Debbie Black-Conn, Microelectronics Commons Workforce Development Lead, DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Louie Lopez, Director, Department of War (DOW) STEM
Panel Discussion: Driving Semiconductor Workforce Engagement via Investment, with Jennier Waters, Vice President of Business Development, GO-SEMI, Empire State Development; Kevin Bronner, Principal, Park Strategies; and others.
Lightning Talks:
Cornell Student-Led Chips Design, by Christopher Batten, Professor, Computer Systems Laboratory, Cornell University
NORDTECH Summer Internship Program (SIP) Opportunity by Wendy Carpenter, Senior Director of Experiential Learning, Griffiss Institute
Additional details will be shared as they become available.
Travel and Lodging
VENUE’S MAIN ADDRESS
The Statler Hotel at Cornell University
130 Statler Drive
Ithaca, NY 14853
ACCOMMODATIONS
Overnight accommodations are available at a variety of local hotels to include:
The Statler Hotel located at 130 Statler Drive, Ithaca, New York 14853
(607) 254-2500
No room discounted room block available. Click here to book directly via the Statler Hotel.The Canopy by Hilton located 324 East State Street, Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 277-0230
A discounted room rate of $144 USD is available for 9/21/26. Click here to book the room block via Canopy by Hilton Guestroom Reservation Link by August 22.
PARKING INFORMATION
Guests Staying at The Statler Hotel
Valet parking is available at The Statler Hotel for $30 per day.
Campus Parking Options
For attendees who are not staying at The Statler Hotel, or who prefer a lower-cost option, parking is available in designated campus lots through the ParkMobile app.
One convenient nearby option is the Crescent Lot, which offers parking for $10 per day between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Staying Longer in Ithaca?
Parking in campus ParkMobile lots is free:
Before 7:30 a.m. and after 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
All day Saturday and Sunday
Poster Session Information
We are inviting posters in three major topical areas (but not limited to):
Emerging Technologies in Microelectronics for Department of War (DOW) Applications
(Quantum, Heterogeneous Integration, RadHard, Materials and Processing, Computational Microelectronics, Technologies for Future Artificial Intelligence)Educational Pathways and Curriculum Development for Microelectronics Workforce Development
(STEM Integration, Interdisciplinary Programs, Online Learning)Innovation in Teaching Methods for Microelectronics and Semiconductor Education
(Pre-graduate Experiential Chips Design, Virtual Labs, Simulation Tools, Gamification)
We are seeking posters from NORDTECH workforce development project performers, though all attendees are invited to contribute a poster. If you are planning to present a poster, please indicate your interest in the registration form. You will be asked to provide a title and presenting author information. Poster presenters should plan to offer a one-minute overview during lunch to support interested parties in connecting with your work.
POSTER DISPLAY INSTRUCTIONS
Posters should be printed and brought by each author to the summit. The maximum size of finished posters must not exceed 24-inch x 36-inch (61cm × 91cm) to fit within the usable area of the poster board, use landscape orientation. Easels, boards, and binder clips / pushpins will be available on site. A poster number ID will be mounted on the display area of each poster board. Please attach this ID visibly to the top of your poster.
Posters should be mounted between 8:00 a.m.— 9:00 a.m. on the symposium day and should be removed after 5:30 p.m. Authors are requested to stand next to their posters for discussion and to answer questions throughout the day as they are able.
Connect With Us
Stay up to date on our latest developments.