AMUG Conference 2021 Relocated to Florida
Today, the Additive manufacturing Users Group (AMUG) announced that its annual in-person conference had to be relocated and postponed. The AMUG conference will now take place in Orlando, Florida, from the 2nd to the 6th of May, 2021, at the Hilton Orlando.
The Additive Manufacturing User Group association has been organizing this eagerly-awaited yearly conference since the 1990s. Once solely focused on the advancement of stereolithography (SLA) – the first 3D printing technology to emerge – its aim today is to educate and support users of all additive manufacturing technologies, regardless of their experience level. In fact, this is the key feature of the conference: it focuses exclusively on users. Each year the AMUG conferences provides a forum for presentations of new technologies, new processes, new machines, and much more.
The AMUG Board in 2019.
Moving the Conference
The AMUG president, Carl Dekker, said, “Our goal is to provide an in-person event, in a safe manner, to facilitate the exchange of information in the way that differentiates the AMUG Conference from all others. The AMUG Board is committed to planning for an in-person event and will continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and related government restrictions at the federal and local levels. The board has been developing alternate plans that will allow us to adapt to changes as developments occur that relate to COVID-19 and in-person events.” He continued, “Considering the current and projected circumstances, it was necessary to change the dates of the conference from March to May 2021 and to move the event to Orlando for a larger meeting.”
The Hilton Orlando is a spacious, contemporary property. Commenting on the new venue, Tom Sorovetz, AMUG event manager, said, “The Hilton Orlando offers 249,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. Even with social distancing protocols in place, this property can accommodate a full-scale AMUG Conference, and it also affords AMUG the opportunity to host outdoor activities.”
Keeping the AMUG Conference 2021 Safe
AMUG has sought guidance and advice from an industry consultant in order to ensure that the in-person event adheres to COVID-19 safety protocols and all necessary precautions pertaining to live conferences and events. In addition to this, AMUG are working closely with the Hilton Orlando, state agencies and local officials. We’ve linked more detail on specific safety guidelines for Hilton hotels, Orlando and Florida.
Dekker remarked that over 70 sponsors and 100 exhibitors are supporting the 2021 AMUG Conference by applying their 2020 commitments to the coming year. The number of openings for companies to participate has yet to be determined as plans for the socially distanced conference are still being finalised. In the meantime, new sponsors and exhibitors are being placed on a waitlist. Conference registration has also been temporarily paused, but will recommence on January 6, 2021.
AMUG’s prestigious DINO Award
Supporting actions and supplementary programs are proceeding as usual. AMUG has an open ‘call-for-speakers,’ and its Agenda Committee is actively selecting individuals for the available speaking slots. Their scholarship program remains open for candidate submission. Nominations for AMUG’s prestigious DINO (Distinguished INnovator Operator) Award are now being accepted.
You can find more information about registrations, and submissions for recognition and participation, on AMUG’s website HERE. Are you a user of 3D printing technologies? Will you attend the AMUG Conference? Let us know in a comment below or on our Facebook and Twitter pages! Don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly Newsletter, with all the latest news in 3D printing delivered straight to your inbox!
