AMUG Conference 2024
- Date
- 2024-03-10
- Location
- Hilton Chicago, Chicago, United States
- Host
- Additive Manufacturing Users Group (AMUG)
About this event
AMUG Conference 2024 brings the additive manufacturing community together around a simple, timely theme: Back to the User. If you care about how advanced manufacturing actually works in practice, not just how it looks in a slide deck, this is where you’ll find the conversations, demos, and peer connections that move the field forward. About the Event The annual AMUG Conference is an in-person gathering built for people who want to stay close to the real-world side of advanced manufacturing. The theme, Back to the User, sets the direction clearly: this event centers on the needs, challenges, and experiences of the people using the technology every day. Rather than treating manufacturing as an abstract trend, the conference creates space for practical learning, community exchange, and hands-on discovery. It combines keynote moments with technical programming, showcase-style experiences, and informal networking, giving attendees multiple ways to engage depending on what they want to get out of the event. Set at the Hilton Chicago in Chicago, United States, the conference offers a shared physical environment where conversations can continue beyond the formal schedule. That matters for a field like this one, where seeing applications up close and talking directly with peers often leads to the most useful insights. This is a strong fit for professionals who work in or around additive and advanced manufacturing and want to spend time with a community that values substance, technical curiosity, and practical outcomes. What to Expect The program includes several distinct experiences, each offering a different angle on the state of the industry and its future direction: Keynote presentations from Jason Lopes and Olaf Diegel AMUGexpo, where attendees can explore offerings, ideas, and conversations across the additive manufacturing ecosystem A technical competition that highlights skill, ingenuity, and applied problem-solving The inaugural AMUGderby, adding a fresh, community-focused element to this year’s event The keynote sessions are likely to anchor the conference with big-picture perspective and practitioner-relevant thinking. With the event’s user-focused theme, attendees can expect these talks to connect innovation with the realities of implementation, adoption, workflow, and design. Beyond the stage, the AMUGexpo gives the event a more exploratory rhythm. It’s the place to see what others are building, ask detailed questions, and compare approaches in a setting that supports direct, face-to-face interaction. For many attendees, these moments are where abstract ideas become concrete. The technical competition and AMUGderby add energy and specificity to the program. They make room for creativity, engineering rigor, and a bit of friendly momentum, while also reflecting something important about the AMUG community: this is a space that values both expertise and participation. Why Attend If your work touches advanced manufacturing, this conference offers a concentrated way to sharpen your understanding of where the field is right now. You’ll hear from recognized voices, see practical examples, and spend time with people who understand the opportunities and constraints of applying these technologies in real settings. The strongest value here is the combination of technical relevance and community access. You’re not just consuming information; you’re stepping into a room full of users, builders, problem-solvers, and decision-makers. That makes it easier to test assumptions, get feedback, and learn how others are approaching similar challenges. Attendees can expect benefits such as: Better context for current trends in additive and advanced manufacturing Exposure to practical applications and user-driven perspectives Opportunities to build relationships through networking and in-person conversation A closer look at the tools, ideas, and workflows shaping the community Fresh inspiration from competition, exhibition, and keynote programming This is also a valuable event for people who want more than passive conference attendance. The mix of formal sessions and social interaction supports genuine exchange, whether you’re looking to deepen technical knowledge, expand your network, or reconnect with the broader manufacturing community. Practical Details Location: In person at Hilton Chicago, Chicago, United States. The event is designed as an on-site experience, which means attendees can take advantage of in-room sessions, expo conversations, and the kind of spontaneous networking that only happens when the community is gathered in one place. Date and time: Sunday, March 10 at 12:00 AM UTC. If you’re traveling or coordinating with others, be sure to convert the listed time to your local time zone and plan your arrival around the in-person schedule. Because this is a conference with multiple program elements, it’s worth arriving prepared to move between different formats throughout the event, from keynote-style sessions to expo exploration to community activities. Bring your questions, be ready to talk shop, and leave time for the conversations that happen between agenda items. AMUG Conference 2024 is especially well suited to attendees interested in advanced manufacturing, community, networking, and the social side of a technically serious field. If that combination sounds useful to you, this conference offers a focused, credible place to learn from others and contribute to the conversation yourself.
Who should attend
If you work with industrial 3D printing and want practical insight from people actually using the technology every day, this conference is built for you. - **You run, manage, or support additive manufacturing operations** and want to compare workflows, materials, post-processing approaches, and production lessons with experienced users. - **You’re an engineer, designer, or technician using advanced manufacturing tools** and looking for real-world applications, technical discussion, and ideas you can bring back to your team. - **You evaluate AM technology for your company** and want a clearer view of where the field is heading, what experienced users prioritize, and how others are solving implementation challenges. - **You value peer-to-peer learning** more than polished sales pitches, and want candid conversations with a community centered on users and hands-on experience. - **You enjoy seeing the creative and competitive side of the industry** through features like the technical competition, AMUGexpo, and the inaugural AMUGderby. - **You want a strong mix of perspective and practice** from headline keynotes to hallway conversations with people shaping advanced manufacturing from the ground up.