SME along with its partner, Rapid News Communication Group, announced today two new events to its RAPID + TCT event series – RAPID + TCT Executive Strategy Summit and RAPID + TCT West. The expansion of the RAPID + TCT event series is reported to be in response to growing demand and technology growth in additive manufacturing (AM).
RAPID + TCT Executive Strategy Summit
October 17-18, 2018
Marriott Desert Springs
Palm Desert, California
RAPID + TCT West
October 9-10, 2019
Santa Clara Convention
Santa Clara, California
We caught up with Maria Conrado, SME Event Manager, to learn about these two new events in an exclusive AMazing® Q&A conversation.
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AMazing®: Maria, thank you for your participation.This must be an exciting time with today’s major announcement of two new events to the RAPID + TCT event series. What factors led to the decision to expand the RAPID + TCT event series to include a summit and an annual RAPID + TCT Conference and Exposition on the west coast of the United States?
Maria Conrado: Appreciate the opportunity. SME and our partner, Rapid News Publications Ltd, considered everything from industry demand to technology growth in additive manufacturing. In California alone, additive manufacturing is growing at a rate of approximately 25 percent per year, according to the 2018 Wohlers report.
RAPID + TCT West is an organic extension of the RAPID + TCT brand and addresses the growing need for true coast-to-coast coverage. Part of the RAPID + TCT mission is to remove barriers to information around cutting-edge, design-to-manufacturing technologies.The biannual RAPID + TCT events will allow easier access to state-of-the-art additive manufacturing knowledge for East, West and Midwest communities alike.
AMazing®:The RAPID + TCT Executive Strategy Summit scheduled for later this year seems best suited for corporate and technology leaders, along with high end stake holders, to meet, network and collaborate. Will the summit be an annual event? What are some of the goals and objectives of the summit?
Maria Conrado: The summit will be an annual event that we’re hoping to bring to global audiences in the future. The event is designed to bridge the gap between technical leadership and business leadership, promote understanding of technology investments with executives, and share success stories from companies who are leveraging additive manufacturing technology to increase their customer base, revenues and business results. The event will also offer executive-level networking and connectivity – linking industry peers – with executive-level representatives from technology providers and end users.
AMazing®: As announced today, RAPID + TCT West, October 9-10, 2019, will be held annually and take place in a region of northern California referred to as Silicon Valley. How will the addition of RAPID + TCT West, alongside RAPID + TCT, May 21-23, 2019, at the Cobo Center, Detroit, Michigan, help support growing interest and adoption of additive manufacturing?
Maria Conrado: RAPID + TCT West fits with our mission of accelerating 3D technology adoption worldwide. RAPID + TCT is the leading 3D manufacturing show in the U.S. and we are delighted to be able to expand into new regions.
The west coast is a leader in manufacturing. California alone is home to almost 36,000 manufacturing firms that employ nearly 1.3 million people, and in 2015 the state exported almost $144 billion in manufactured goods.
While additive manufacturing is growing at a rate of approximately 25 percent per year in California, the growth rate is even higher in the Midwest. We’re coming back to Detroit at the perfect time for RAPID + TCT 2019, to better serve our attendees and the industry overall.
RAPID + TCT 2017 Recap (Video courtesy of SME)
AMazing®: Finally, what insider tips and/or event strategies would you like to offer to those attending RAPID + TCT in Fort Worth, Texas, later this month?
Maria Conrado: Now is the time to review the RAPID + TCT 2018 event schedule and plan ahead. We encourage attendees to download the RAPID + TCT mobile app to create their own schedule and start networking. The RAPID + TCT keynote presentations are often standing room only and will feature some the brightest minds in additive manufacturing.
This year’s diverse group of speakers will show just how many areas 3D printing has impacted, from use in Hollywood movies to hospital operating rooms. Networking receptions will be offered throughout the week to keep the interaction going and provide the opportunity to connect with industry experts and peers in a relaxed environment.
And don’t forget to attend the First Timers Meet and Greet reception on Monday evening if you are new to RAPID + TCT! RAPID + TCT event advisors and members from SME’s AM Community will be in attendance to share their knowledge and help you plan your time at RAPID + TCT.
This concludes our interview. Maria, thank you very much for your participation. We are very grateful for the opportunity to learn the latest news about the RAPID + TCT event series.
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About Maria Conrado
Maria Conrado is the Event Manager for RAPID at SME. She has been a manufacturing event manager in the industry for more than 20 years. Maria received her education from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich.
About RAPID + TCT
For over 25 years, RAPID + TCT has defined the crucial role of additive manufacturing and empowered the establishment of an industry that continues to conceive, test, improve and manufacture new products at a faster, more cost-efficient pace. The two industry leaders in 3D technology events, SME and The TCT Group, have teamed up to produce the annual RAPID + TCT event. For users and suppliers alike, the event is the premier destination for those who provide technology and for those who need to understand, explore and adopt 3D printing, additive manufacturing, 3D scanning, CAD/CAE, metrology and inspection technologies. For more information, please visit rapid3devent.com.
About SME
SME connects manufacturing professionals, academia and communities, sharing knowledge and resources to build inspired, educated and prosperous manufacturers and enterprises. With more than 85 years of experience and expertise in events, media, membership, training and development, and also through an education foundation, SME is committed to promoting manufacturing technology, developing a skilled workforce and attracting future generations to advance manufacturing. Learn more at sme.org, follow @SME_MFG on Twitter or facebook.com/SMEmfg.
Contact:
Maria Conrado
800.733.3976 ext.3093
To read SME’s announcement about the new summit and annual RAPID + TCT Conference and Exposition press here.
Source: SME/AMazing
