Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI) is a global organization comprising, naturally enough, suppliers of semiconductor production equipment and the materials that go into making microchips. The group holds trade exhibitions and industry forums around the world. Its annual SEMICON shows are staged in China, Germany, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and the US. SEMI advocates for industry interests in Washington, DC, and sponsors industry standards efforts, bringing together competing vendors to agree on common specifications for manufacturing hardware, software, and materials. SEMI was established in 1970.