Since the launch of IPC Printed Circuits Expo in 1994 and the subsequent debut of Apex in 2000, IPC has consistently touted its ban on hospitality suites as means to hold down exhibitor costs and keep the playing field level. And year after year, the grousing from attendees (and not a few exhibitors) gets louder about how, well, the fun of shows past is simply not there.

So it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that IPC is giving in. Well, sort of.

At this year’s show, you, too, can sponsor the IPC hospitality suite, otherwise known as the 50th Anniversary dinner.

That’s right: for $500 to $2000, you can “show your support for the accomplishments of the industry over the past 50 years by sponsoring this prestigious event.”

Leave it to IPC to turn a moment intended to recognize the contributions of its members into just another pitch for bucks.