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Okay, I declare this will officially be the last time I use my "newbie" card - it was fun while it lasted. Back in July, during my interview for this very job, I was rather excited to hear about some of the events I might get to attend at TCT. Frankfurt, Florida, Las Vegas and so on. Small confession: since I left the interview room and thankfully found myself parked on a desk not too far away from it, Vegas has been the one I have been desperate to get to – that telepathy must really work.
International CES is the epicentre of innovators and businesses in consumer electronics technologies. The biggest players across the entire tech industry will descend on Las Vegas with shiny new products, which more importantly for us, includes the most influential names and brands in the 3D printing world.
This is TCT’s second outing to the City of Lights with a 3D Printing Marketplace that has more than doubled in size since its inaugural event last year including over 50 exhibitors eager to kick off 2015 with their latest developments.
Here are my picks of what I’m most looking forward to:
1) 3D Printing Current Killer Applications - Working in the 3D printing industry, it is often difficult to avoid the old “3D printing? What’s the point?” question from the non-believers. Materialise CEO Fried Vancraen will open the 3D Printing Conference presented by TCT Magazine + Personalize session to introduce the plethora of opportunities 3D printing holds for life-changing applications.
2) The 3D Printing Marketplace Showfloor - New year, new tech and it's all right here in one place. Along with the industry stalwarts, this is the time to scope out the startups, latest talent and crowdfunding successes across the 3D printing community.
3) 3D Systems, consumer 3D printing – On top of hosting an invite only #HomeoftheNow event at this year’s CES showing just about every corner of consumer 3D printing, 3D Systems will also be showing off its latest advances in desktop 3D printing and consumer based technologies. Being a “3D printed food” sceptic, I am keen to see the industry giant’s first pro grade food printer in action.
4) Getting Access to 3D Printing - MakerBot is one of the biggest consumer 3D printing success stories so far, from humble beginnings as a start-up to bringing on board an admirable mix of brands from Sesame Street to Martha Stewart. The 3D Printing Conference will see CEO Jenny Lawton and 3D Hub’s co-founder Bram de Zwart explore the opportunities in getting access to this revolutionary technology.
5) 3D Hubs Meetup – With nearly 10,000 3D printers registered in its global network, 3D Hubs is the world’s largest community of 3D printers. Famous for its 3D printing meetups, the team will host a event at this year’s CES to converse community members from Las Vegas and talk all things 3D Printing at the CES Tech West region on the 6th January. Register here.
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Exhibit at the UK's definitive and most influential 3D printing and additive manufacturing event, TCT 3Sixty.
6) The 3D Printing Panel: Now, Next and Never – Rounding off the 3D Printing Conference sessions will be a panel discussion from some of the day’s key speakers including myth busting questions and burning thoughts from the audience. There’s still time to register here.
I’ve been told it’s busy - no, ‘crazy’ was the word, to wear comfy shoes as it’s a mammoth of an event, prepare to queue for a Starbucks and be sure to be in there quick to get my lunch – everyone likes a free snack. Personally, I can’t wait!
What are you most looking forward to at the 2015 International CES? Comment below or Tweet your thoughts at @TheTCTMagazine #CES2015
