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The following are some of the ways to get in touch with each other: AMUG Conference 2024Community feedback has led to significant enhancements. The event will feature an extended AMUGexpo, now spanning three nights, and a rescheduled Special Event & Dinner. An intriguing ’80s-themed dinner and the first-ever AMUGderby, inspired by the Scouts of America’s pinewood derby, are among the novel attractions planned for the event.
Ed Graham, a seasoned pioneer in the field of additive manufacturing and the current Director of Education & Conference at AMUG provided insights into what attendees can expect at this year’s event.
Education remains a central pillar of AMUG’s agenda. The conference will continue offering scholarships and poster sessions to encourage participation from universities and newcomers in the industry. Graham, a long-time AMUG Conference attendee, is now in charge of keynotes.
The selection of keynote speakers includes Jason Lopes and Olaf Diegel, “Jason Lopes was always somebody who just wowed me. His presentations were always incredible. He’s working with the latest and greatest in technologies,” said Graham. Lopes is a Hollywood and AM expert who has brought films from the Muppets, to Marvel, to life through additive manufacturing. Diegel, Professor of Additive Manufacturing in the University of Auckland, is known for guitar designs and his Additive Manufacturing projects. “He’s been involved in a lot of the DFAM world and has a broad base of projects and scope of work,” said Graham.
Greg Morris will also be honored with the Innovators Award at the conference. As the award winner, he will be the featured guest in AMUG’s Innovators Showcase, which offers attendees a chance to hear from a key industry figure in a fireside chat setting.
AMUG Conference stands out for its emphasis on practical workshops. Graham is a strong proponent of practical learning, stating, “The best thing for learning and knowledge is getting your hands dirty, right? Really diving into it.” Popular workshops like ‘Foundry In A Box’ and ‘Beyond Adhesives’ will return, supplemented by new offerings. AMUG’s unique conference fee includes these workshops, which sets it apart from other industry events.
Emphasizing the importance of community input, Graham notes, “We listened to the users who said we need some more time, and we’d like to do some more, you know, communicating.”
AMUG is also a networking event. The conference is designed to foster connections among attendees through innovative strategies such as ‘fishbowl lunches,’ where attendees are assigned to tables randomly to encourage meeting new people. This is one of the reasons why the AMUG experience is unmatched in the industry.
Graham recommends that new members attend the AMUG welcome session in order to maximize their experience and better navigate the event. He also prepares attendees for a marathon of learning and networking, indicative of the conference’s comprehensive agenda.
In conclusion, Graham reiterates the educational mission of AMUG, stating, “Our entire agenda is set up to educate our members.” This commitment to education, coupled with a focus on innovation and networking, positions the 2024 AMUG Conference as a unique and enriching event in the world of additive manufacturing. “The general track sessions are designed with the intent to educate. They are not sales pitches but learning sessions. The rest of the conference will be set up to encourage collaboration and networking. We aim to provide fun and educational activities to our members to promote networking and knowledge sharing. AMUG is a one-of-a-kind event that will not disappoint,” Graham concludes.
Plan your visit to the AMUG Conference 2024 here.
Ed Graham is featured in the image. [R] Director of Education & Conference at AMUG. Photo via AMUG.