AMUG 2020 Preview

The Additive Manufacturing User Group (AMUG) Conference is set to take place this year in Chicago March 22-26 at the Hilton Chicago. AMUG is unique in the additive space in that the event is both organized by users and targeted at users to help increase the value of AM across industries. 

The 2020 program will once again feature a Sunday evening (March 22) reception for first-time attendees. In addition, new for the 2020 event are first-timer gatherings throughout the week where newcomers will regroup, get answers to their questions, and have an opportunity to connect with long-time AM users.

Innovator, Scholarship Awards

The conference officially opens on March 23, and will feature presentations that include extended discussions of insights and highlights with a focus on the tools/companies supporting the conference. 

In addition, Hans Langer, founder of EOS, will receive the annual  Innovators Award and engage in a “fireside chat” that will provide insight into his background, interests, trial/tribulations, successes, and thoughts on how to succeed in AM and what the future holds. AMUG will announce its annual scholarship winners on Monday March 23, as well as the winners of the Distinguished Innovator Operator (DINO) awards, and board and officer elections.

The AMUG conference sessions, which are active throughout the week except during meals and expo hours, will feature sessions organized by AMUG’s Track Leader Committee. The vast majority of these presentations and panels are conducted by AMUG members. The sponsor conference sessions, which run throughout the week but primarily in the afternoons, are conducted by AMUG’s Diamond and Platinum Sponsors. These sessions run concurrently with the AMUG sessions.

By popular demand, AMUG is incorporating many more panel discussions (and other sessions that invite engagement) into the conference agenda. The conference will also include more than 160 speaker, panel and training sessions throughout the week. This includes AMUG Track sessions for:

• Aerospace/Transportation/Defense/Military
• AM Metal Technologies
• AM Technologies Non-Metal
• Casting
• Education and Training
• Materials
• Medical and Dental
• Scanning & Metrology
• Software

This year’s event will have expanded expo hours, running from 4 to 10 pm on March 22; and from 10 am to 2:30 pm and 6 pm to 10 pm on March 23. The keynote speakers have not yet been announced, but the keynote sessions will be held on March 23 and March 26.

As in previous years, AMUG will once again hold a Technical Competition for additive manufacturing (AM) users to present their noteworthy use cases and applications. The event offers two recognitions: Advanced Concepts and Advanced Finishing. Winners will be announced on March 25.

There will also be off-site evening events on Tuesday and Wednesday during the conference, as well as a closing “Family Dinner” on Thursday evening. 

Attendance is limited to those that use/operate/own AM technology used in a professional setting. Registration includes all meals.

To register, go to the event homepage here.