The Additive Manufacturing Conference Is Becoming the Formnext Forum

Since 2014, the annual Additive Manufacturing Conference (AMC) has highlighted industrial applications for 3D printing through a program curated by the editors of Additive Manufacturing Media. Now, the brand and its parent company Gardner Business Media have partnered with Mesago, organizer of Formnext, and AMT — The Association For Manufacturing Technology to expand the scope of this event and ultimately bring a new Formnext trade show to the United States. 

The first Formnext USA Chicago trade show will be held in April 2025 (and don’t worry, the existing Formnext event will continue in Frankfurt, Germany each November). But the conference portion of the North American show, an evolution of the Additive Manufacturing Conference, will begin in 2023 as the Formnext Forum. 

An Expanded Program

Like the AMC, Formnext Forum will be curated by Additive Manufacturing Media editors. 

The program will focus on manufacturers currently 3D printing end-use parts and tooling; researchers working to advance AM’s capabilities; and technology providers with perspective on industrial applications.

But now, leveraging new partnerships, the scope of the event is expanding to cover the entirety of additive manufacturing, from first steps to full production. Topics to be explored include identifying use cases for AM; developing personnel; design steps and strategies; material advances;  postprocessing; and AM as an answer to supply chain challenges. 

Three Tracks of Content 

The schedule for this expanded content is new as well. In previous years the Additive Manufacturing Conference has offered just one track, to allow attendees to focus their attention and avoid missing any part of the programming. Formnext Forum will deliver plenary conference sessions each morning and three different tracks — Production, Design for AM and Technology — in the afternoon; afternoon track programming will repeat across two days to allow attendees to take in as much as possible. 

Conference attendees will also have access to the exhibits, AM4U zone, networking opportunities and tours. 

Future Events

Going forward, Formnext Forum Austin will be a stand-alone annual conference. A version of Formnext Forum will be co-located with IMTS — The International Manufacturing Technology Show beginning in 2024, and take place alongside the Formnext Chicago event from 2025 onward. 

We hope you’ll join us in August 2023 for the very first edition of Formnext Forum Austin, and at subsequent events.