When Joe Stockunas talks about SEMI, he doesn’t sound like someone running a trade association. He sounds like an industry guy who’s spent decades in the trenches and knows how hard it is to get things done. That’s because he is. Before joining SEMI Americas, Stockunas spent more than 30 years leading businesses at Air Products and Nordson, working directly with customers and navigating global markets.
It’s this background that shapes his approach. He doesn’t talk in abstractions. He talks in numbers, in people, in outcomes. And he’s not afraid to call out the obvious. When asked about moving SEMICON West from San Francisco to Phoenix, he joked that holding a July conference in Arizona would be “an IQ test for the president of SEMI.” The punchline landed, but behind it was a real calculation about risk, opportunity and timing.
Scaling SEMICON West
When Stockunas stepped into his role, SEMICON West was already one of the world’s key semiconductor events. His focus wasn’t to just keep it running but to grow it. The pandemic had obviously affected attendance, but by 2022, the show had returned to its pre-COVID levels. Then, under his leadership, 2023 saw 37% growth in attendance. Booths expanded from 740 to 1,500. This year is expected to be the largest exhibition in two decades, with approximately a 25% expansion over 2024.
When asked why people come to SEMICON West, Stockunas emphasized that the numbers weren’t his only concern. He cared about growth, of course, but he also focused on relevance. The answer to this question changes year over year. One year, it’s AI. Another, it’s smart manufacturing. His role, as he sees it, is to make sure the show reflects what’s most urgent for the industry, not what’s most comfortable for SEMI.
An Industry at a Crossroads
The semiconductor market is poised to reach $1 trillion around 2030, fueled by AI. That growth sounds inevitable, but Stockunas is quick to remind people it isn’t. “There are things we have to do first to get there,” he says. Workforce development, supply chain resilience, sustainability and geopolitical concerns — none of these solve themselves.
That’s where SEMI steps in. “We’re strongest when we work together across the globe,” he says. It’s a simple idea, but one he repeats often. He’s less interested in declarations of victory than in bringing leaders into the same room to talk about what still needs to be done. It’s why he reshaped the CEO Summit at SEMICON West 2024 to focus on America one day and on global markets the next.
Why Phoenix
The decision to bring SEMICON West to Phoenix in 2025 was a defining one. Arizona has become an epicenter of semiconductor investment. Nearly $100 billion in new projects are landing here. The local ecosystem, state government, industry groups and universities have built a strong foundation.
Still, Stockunas knew change would bring nerves. “Folks are nervous. It’s a change. It’s difficult for lots of people,” he admits. His answer was to keep the focus on outcomes. Phoenix had active fabs, suppliers and support from state and regional leaders. That combination gave him confidence.
Collaborative Leadership
Stockunas doesn’t frame the move as his victory. He credits partners like the Arizona Commerce Authority and the Greater Phoenix Economic Council. He points to the SEMI Arizona chapter, which has taken a leading role. His style is to shine a light on the ecosystem rather than himself. That’s part of why the decision landed well.
And while he emphasizes planning, he also leaves space for improvisation. He likes to point out how redesigning the show floor to include more space for impromptu meetings ended up being one of the most effective changes. Small details, when shaped by input from members, add up to larger wins.
Lessons in Style
Stockunas grounds decisions in data. He acknowledges challenges rather than glossing over them. And he trusts networks of people to help carry things forward and across the finish line.
In his world, leadership isn’t about chasing the spotlight. It’s about creating the conditions where others, companies, governments and regions can step in. The success of SEMICON West and the leap to Phoenix show how that style works in practice.
On the Move
- Phoenix will rotate every other year with San Francisco as to where SEMICON West will be held, starting in 2025.
- Arizona has attracted nearly $100 billion in semiconductor investment.
- The Arizona Commerce Authority and GPEC were key partners in bringing the event to Phoenix.
- SEMI will present the 2025 SEMI Silicon Medal for the first time during the Phoenix event.
Did You Know: When SEMICON West opens in Phoenix, it will mark the first time in the event’s 55-year history that the show is held outside the San Francisco Bay area. Phoenix Convention Center, October 7–9.
