67 Reasons To Attend IMS2025

By John Oncea, Editor

IMS2025 brings together the global RF and microwave community for a week of learning, networking, and discovery in the “City by the Bay.” Whether you’re an engineer, researcher, entrepreneur, or student, here are 67 reasons to make IMS your must-attend event this year.

Does anybody remember the 1987 Steve Martin movie, Roxanne? It’s a modern retelling of Edmond Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac in which Martin plays fire chief Charlie “C.D.” Bales, an intelligent, witty, charismatic, and athletic fire chief with an abnormally large nose.

In one scene, Bales has a run-in with a drunk in a bar and tells him he’ll come up with the same number of self-deprecating insults about his own nose as the number the drunk hits by throwing one dart at a dart board. Turns out, the drunk is the 1987 Denver darts champion and hits the 20, leading Bales to challenge him to a “best two-out-of-three” with the drunk hitting 20 again.

Not to spoil a 28-year-old movie, but the scene ends with Bales flattening the “flat-faced, flat-nose, flat-head” with one punch as the bar patrons burst into applause.

Why do I bring this up? Well, when deciding to write about this year’s IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium (IMS), I thought it would be clever to come up with as many reasons to attend as the show has been around. Turns out, the first IMS took place in 1957, leaving me no choice but to come up with 67 compelling reasons you should attend IMS2025 in San Francisco, June 15–20, 2025.

A Technical Feast For Every Interest

IMS2025’s technical program spans the full spectrum of microwave theory and practice, from MHz‑to‑THz device innovations to system‑level breakthroughs in 5G/6G networks and quantum electronics. Attendees can choose from dozens of oral and poster sessions, where emerging AI/ML design flows, advanced simulation techniques, and physical‑layer security are explored by leading experts.

Workshops such as the RF Bootcamp invite non‑microwave specialists to gain foundational skills, while vendor‑led labs offer deep dives into cutting‑edge measurement tools and test‑fixture design. Informal critique forums and one‑on‑one coaching clinics provide personalized feedback, accelerating both academic research and commercial development.

1. Dive into innovative research in MHz‑to‑THz theory and techniques.
2. Attend oral and poster sessions across dozens of technical tracks.
3. Join workshops on emerging AI/ML applications for RF and microwave design.
4. Engage with panels on quantum electronics and physical‑layer security.
5. Learn new device-level innovations in systems and applications.
6. Hear from experts in aerospace & security system design.
7. Explore chips for critical infrastructure and resilience.
8. Discover advances in entrepreneurship within microwave technology.
9. Participate in focus sessions on the connected future (5G/6G).
10. Get early glimpses of next-generation wireless standards at the Connected Future Summit.

Innovation On The Exhibition Floor

The IMS exhibit hall transforms technical concepts into tangible experiences. Over 550 companies will highlight the latest in components, test equipment, materials, and turnkey systems, allowing you to compare competing technologies side‑by‑side. Hands‑on demo areas let you operate prototype hardware for mm‑wave and terahertz applications, while dedicated startup pavilions highlight entrepreneurial ventures pursuing hard‑tech breakthroughs. Sponsor‑hosted workshops right on the show floor offer bite‑sized tutorials on hot topics, from IP‑protection strategies to grant‑writing for microwave spin‑outs

11. Walk the show floor with 550 + exhibitors showcasing the latest products.
12. See firsthand demos from top component and test equipment vendors.
13. Compare state-of-the-art measurement tools side by side.
14. Discover startup innovations in the dedicated small‑business pavilion.
15. Visit sponsor booths for exclusive technical workshops.
16. Test-drive prototype hardware in interactive exhibit areas.
17. Explore Industry 4.0 applications via live product demonstrations.
18. Learn about novel materials for mmWave and terahertz devices.
19. Engage with entrepreneurs in the emerging‑tech startup zone.
20. Collect comprehensive exhibition floor plans to optimize your visit.

Building Connections That Matter

Beyond the technical program, IMS2025 is engineered for networking. With colleagues from more than 65 nations, the week is punctuated by themed receptions – Women in Microwaves, Young Professionals, and under‑represented‑minority gatherings through Project Connect – where new collaborations begin over coffee or cocktails.

The IMS job fair brings hiring managers from top firms face‑to‑face with emerging talent, while entrepreneurship meet‑ups and pitch competitions connect innovators with VCs and corporate scouts. Evening social events at nearby venues cement the relationships that will drive the next generation of microwave advances.

21. Network with over 9,000 global RF & microwave professionals.
22. Meet industry leaders from Analog Devices, Qorvo, Keysight, and more.
23. Connect with hiring managers at the IMS job fair.
24. Exchange ideas in Women in Engineering and Young Professionals events.
25. Build relationships at the Women in Microwaves networking reception.
26. Participate in Project Connect for under‑represented minority students.
27. Pitch your startup in dedicated entrepreneurship meetups.
28. Strengthen your LinkedIn network with peer-to-peer sessions.
29. Find mentors during one‑on‑one career coaching clinics.
30. Enjoy evening social events to cement new professional ties.

Master Classes and Hands-On Learning

Short courses and tutorials deliver intensive, practical training. Whether you aim to master advanced simulation environments, learn best practices for publishing in IEEE Xplore, or explore quantum‑electronics fundamentals, IMS’s hands-on sessions put you in the designer’s seat.

Interactive panel discussions on regulatory updates, standards development, and the connected‑future roadmap (5G evolution, 6G research) ensure you leave with actionable insights. Poster‑author forums break down the barriers between presenter and audience, fostering lively Q&A and sparking ideas for future research directions

31. Attend the RF Bootcamp for non-microwave specialists.
32. Join hands-on short courses to deepen practical skills.
33. Learn best practices in test‑fixture design from industry experts.
34. Discover AI-driven design flows in specialized tutorials.
35. Participate in panel sessions on regulatory and standards updates.
36. Engage with poster authors in informal interactive forums.
37. Get feedback on your research during dedicated critique sessions.
38. Learn how to publish in IEEE Xplore and maximize your citation impact.
39. Master advanced simulation techniques in vendor-led labs.
40. Explore quantum electronics fundamentals in expert-led tutorials.

Entrepreneurship in Focus

IMS2025 spotlights the full innovation life cycle, from lab prototype to market success. The Hard Tech Venture Summit and dedicated entrepreneurship pavilion host pitch competitions with cash prizes, workshops on commercialization strategies, and mentoring sessions with startup incubators. Case‑study presentations from microwave “unicorns” reveal how IP was protected, funding was secured, and teams were built, providing a blueprint for your venture

41. Pitch to VCs at the Hard Tech Venture Summit.
42. Learn how to commercialize microwave inventions.
43. Discover grant and funding opportunities for startups.
44. Meet fellow innovators in the entrepreneurship pavilion.
45. Attend case‑study sessions on successful microwave spinouts.
46. Get ‑‑some advice from startup incubator mentors.
47. Participate in pitch competitions with cash awards.
48. Network with corporate scouts seeking emerging‑tech partners.
49. Learn IP‑protection strategies from patent attorneys.
50. Hear success stories from alumni who built microwave unicorns.

San Francisco: The Ideal Backdrop

Held at the Moscone Center in downtown San Francisco, IMS2025 places you steps away from Michelin-starred restaurants, historic cable cars, and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Attendees can extend their stay to catch a Giants game at Oracle Park or explore nearby Silicon Valley, where many RF and semiconductor startups are headquartered. On-site childcare, accessibility services, and an official IMS mobile app simplify logistics, so you can focus on learning and connecting

51. Experience San Francisco’s world-class restaurants steps from the Moscone Center.
52. Take in a Giants game at Oracle Park during downtime.
53. Explore cultural attractions in the “City by the Bay.”
54. Benefit from early‑bird registration savings through May 16, 2025.
55. Stay in downtown hotels within walking distance of all events.
56. Enjoy organized tours and hospitality suites for guests.
57. Leverage on-site childcare and accessibility services.
58. Navigate easily with the downloadable IMS2025 mobile app.
59. Create lasting memories at one of the industry’s premier annual gatherings.

8 More Reasons

Building on the myriad benefits already highlighted, here are reasons 60 to 67 to make IMS2025 the centerpiece of your professional calendar:

Deep Dive into Sustainability and Energy‑Efficiency: IMS2025 features dedicated sessions on improving energy efficiency in microwave systems – exploring novel materials, power‑amplifier architectures, and system-level strategies to reduce the carbon footprint of 5G/6G networks and aerospace links. These sustainability-focused tutorials and panels will equip you with concrete methods to design greener RF hardware and to evaluate environmental impacts alongside traditional performance metrics.

Engage in Standards and Technical‑Committee Meetings: Beyond lectures and posters, IMS hosts full-day standards‑coordination meetings where you can contribute to emerging IEEE working groups – shaping the protocols that will undergird next-generation wireless, medical‑imaging radars, and beyond. Student participants in SPIRSE and similar programs also gain first-hand exposure to standards development, writing reports that influence future RF regulations.

Co‑Located Conferences and Measurement Deep‑Dives: IMS2025 runs alongside the 105th ARFTG Microwave Measurement Conference and ISPSD, offering pass‑holders seamless access to ultra-specialized workshops on advanced vector‑network‐analysis techniques, device‐model extraction, and space-grade component testing. Tapping into these adjacent events multiplies your learning opportunities in one trip.

Celebrate Excellence at Awards Ceremonies: Highlighting student innovation and scholarly achievement, the IMS Student Design Competition culminates in a luncheon where top teams receive cash prizes and public recognition. In parallel, the Best Paper Award Ceremony honors breakthrough research across all tracks – networking you directly with the authors defining tomorrow’s microwave landscape.

Master IEEE Xplore Publishing and Citation Strategies: Specialized tutorials guide you through the end-to-end publication process – rafting manuscripts, navigating peer review, and optimizing metadata to maximize discoverability in IEEE Xplore. These insights are invaluable for anyone aiming to boost their citation impact and academic profile.

Interactive Product Teardown and Reverse‑Engineering Labs: New for 2025, select exhibitors will host live teardown sessions – disassembling commercial RF front‑ends, radar modules, and mm‑wave phased‑array prototypes. Watching experts dissect hardware gives you insider knowledge on manufacturing techniques, materials choices, and pitfalls to avoid in your designs.

Personalized Scheduling via the IMS Mobile App: The official IMS2025 mobile app lets you build a custom agenda: bookmark sessions, set reminders, and map exhibit‑hall routes. Real-time updates on room changes or newly added “pop-up” workshops ensure you never miss a critical talk or demo amid the week’s hustle.

Closing‑Night Banquet and Gala Reception: Cap off your week at the IMS Closing Banquet – chance to toast new partnerships, enjoy keynote reflections on the symposium’s highlights, and celebrate award winners in a festive, collegial atmosphere. It’s the perfect finale to solidify connections before everyone disperses across the globe.

Each of these experiences, on top of the robust technical program, exhibition innovations, and networking previously described, make IMS2025 an unmissable event for anyone invested in the future of RF and microwave engineering. Join us in San Francisco this June to leverage every facet of this industry-defining week.

IMS2025 is more than a conference – it is the RF and microwave community’s annual convergence point, where tomorrow’s wireless systems take shape. From transformative technical sessions and hands‑on workshops to high-impact networking and startup acceleration, every aspect of IMS is designed to ignite collaboration, inspire innovation, and accelerate careers. Join 9,000 + professionals in San Francisco this June to experience the energy, expertise, and excitement that define the world’s premier microwave symposium.