
SME
RapidShowFloor
A view of the show floor at RAPID
A little over twelve months ago Rapid News Publications Ltd and SME announced our partnership. Joining forces to accelerate the growth of this fantastic event. What our teams have created together in the intervening months has been spectacular and I am wholly confident that if your schedule permits - and it really should be the No.1 thing on your calendar for the next few months - that time spent at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in the first week of May will be time spent very well indeed.
Seventeen years ago, in 2000, I travelled to Rosemont for my very first RAPID. Many of the people I met that week have become firm friends to this day. Since then we have travelled the journey from rapid prototyping and rapid manufacturing to 3D printing and additive manufacturing together. It is a journey that continues to evolve today and RAPID + TCT is a superb opportunity to see how far we have come and see where we might go next.
As an attendee at RAPID + TCT you will be one of the lucky ones. Either you “get” additive manufacturing and 3D printing or you are about to “get” it. That makes you one of the few! Even 30 years after these technologies first emerged almost every attendee at RAPID + TCT is an early adopter of a technology that is still developing and becoming capable of new applications every day.
These are transformational technologies but it is fair to say that even the experts, and there will be many in Pittsburgh during the event that you can speak to and learn from, are still simply guessing in terms of just how transformational it can be. Every day the game is changed and what was not possible with additive manufacturing yesterday will be possible tomorrow.
RAPID + TCT is a real learning opportunity, there are over 5,000 people at the event over the three days and they all have experiences to share and over 300 exhibitors on the show floor. That is something that doesn’t occur in many places on the planet, and certainly not anywhere else in North America.
From the minute RAPID + TCT opens there are some fantastic things to see, some of the highlights are below.
Keynote Presentations: These inspiring presentations are often standing room only! We encourage you to get there early to get a seat and be ready to be wowed.
Welcome Reception at Heinz Field: On Tuesday, May 9, enjoy an evening of fun, food, drinks and networking during our welcome reception at Heinz Field. The evening will include tours of the Pittsburgh Steelers locker room and football field, as well as special surprise guests. The cost is $50 and is included with a full conference purchase.
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Exhibit at the UK's definitive and most influential 3D printing and additive manufacturing event, TCT 3Sixty.
3D Art Gallery: The gallery highlights the innovative new approach to art creation and production that’s made possible by additive manufacturing, 3D printing, 3D imaging, and digital sculpture.
3D Playground: This area provides attendees hands-on opportunities with 3D scanning, 3D printing, specialised materials, and new production solutions.
3D Fashion Show: Taking place on Wednesday, May 10 at 4:30 pm, our annual fashion show features the latest creations from the world’s leading 3D print designers and takes place right on the show floor.
So what does it all mean for you? It means that if you attend RAPID + TCT you either understand the potential or you are intrigued by the potential… and that makes you smart.
So make a smart decision and make sure you are in Pittsburgh on May 8-11 and when you get there look around, there will be a lot of smart people there…..just like you.