{"id":69439,"date":"2026-03-16T00:01:05","date_gmt":"2026-03-15T23:01:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.3dnatives.com\/en\/?p=69439"},"modified":"2026-03-11T15:35:03","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T14:35:03","slug":"rapid-tct-2026-what-to-know-16032026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.3dnatives.com\/en\/rapid-tct-2026-what-to-know-16032026\/","title":{"rendered":"RAPID + TCT 2026: What to Know Before You Go"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The largest additive manufacturing event in North America is back! Taking place in Boston, Massachusetts for the first time, the Conference Program kicks off RAPID + TCT 2026, starting April 13 and the exhibition runs April 14\u201316.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bringing together the entire additive manufacturing ecosystem, the event is packed with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.3dnatives.com\/en\/the-best-innovations-at-rapid-tct-2024-020720247\/\">innovation<\/a>, networking and expert-led conferences. How packed? More than 450 exhibitors, 200+ speakers, over 160+ technical presentations and attendees from more than 35 countries. With so much to see and so little time, understanding how to navigate the week can make the difference between general exposure and actionable insight.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/uJvr0I61av0?si=Xu-ZQHvQEks0Vdl9\" width=\"700\" height=\"400\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Conference<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Conference Program is where RAPID + TCT becomes more than a technology showcase. Across more than 160 presentations, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.3dnatives.com\/en\/rapid-tct-optisys-additive-manufacturing-aerospace-23022026\/#!\">speakers<\/a> focus on how additive manufacturing is actually used in production environments.<\/p><div class=\"dnati-inside-article-leaderboard\" style=\"text-align: center;\" id=\"dnati-2600205209\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/eu.snapmaker.com\/products\/snapmaker-u1-3d-printer?utm_source=3dnatives&#038;utm_medium=pr&#038;utm_campaign=u1launch2025&#038;utm_content=u1preorder\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"850 x 150px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.3dnatives.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/850-x-150px-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/www.3dnatives.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/850-x-150px-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https:\/\/www.3dnatives.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/850-x-150px-600x106.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/www.3dnatives.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/850-x-150px-1200x212.jpeg 1200w, https:\/\/www.3dnatives.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/850-x-150px-768x136.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.3dnatives.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/850-x-150px-1536x271.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.3dnatives.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/850-x-150px-2048x361.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.3dnatives.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/850-x-150px-160x28.jpeg 160w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" width=\"850\" height=\"150\"   \/><\/a><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sessions are organized across nine tracks, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.3dnatives.com\/en\/aerospace-and-defense-3d-printing\/\">aerospace, defense<\/a>, healthcare, energy and materials development, allowing attendees to approach the technology from both application and process perspectives.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rather than highlighting capabilities alone, the conference centers on real case studies and implementation strategies that can be applied directly to manufacturing workflows.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Plus, because presentations are also categorized by technical level, the program content is relevant whether you\u2019re evaluating <a href=\"https:\/\/www.3dnatives.com\/en\/3d-technologies\/\">additive manufacturing<\/a> for the first time or optimizing an established practice.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-69450 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.3dnatives.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/RAPID-TCT-1-1.jpg\" width=\"700\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.3dnatives.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/RAPID-TCT-1-1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.3dnatives.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/RAPID-TCT-1-1-600x343.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.3dnatives.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/RAPID-TCT-1-1-160x91.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\">Executive Perspectives Keynotes Series<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Each morning begins with the Executive Perspectives Keynote Series. These panels are designed less as technical presentations and more as Q+A sessions and industry outlook conversations.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The lineup brings together decision makers from across the additive manufacturing ecosystem. Leaders from Stratasys, Velo3D, Siemens and the U.S. Army discuss <strong>Scaling AM for Aerospace and Defense<\/strong>. The healthcare session features executives including Brigitte de Vet-Veithen of Materialise alongside leaders from 3D Systems, HP and Carbon in <strong>Life-Saver: How AM Is Transforming Point-of-Care<\/strong>. The final keynote pairs MIT\u2019s Neil Gershenfeld with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.3dnatives.com\/en\/products-formlabs-rapid-tct-20052024\/\">Formlabs<\/a> CEO Maxim Lobovsky in <strong>From MIT to Mainstream: The Next Era of Manufacturing<\/strong>, highlighting the transition from research to industrial production.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-69445 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.3dnatives.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/RAPID-TCT-4.jpg\" width=\"700\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.3dnatives.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/RAPID-TCT-4.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.3dnatives.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/RAPID-TCT-4-600x343.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.3dnatives.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/RAPID-TCT-4-160x91.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Exhibits<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The exhibition hall connects strategy to real implementation. Manufacturers, material suppliers, software companies and service providers showcase solutions for production, automation and part qualification.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pro tips:<\/p>\n<ol style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li>Wear comfortable shoes. The exhibition floor spans the length of four football fields and features 450+ additive manufacturing providers demonstrating technologies and applications hands-on.<\/li>\n<li>Plan your show floor visits ahead of time. With hundreds of exhibitors showcasing hardware, materials and software, identifying the companies most relevant to your applications can help you make the most of your time.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-69447 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.3dnatives.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/RAPID-TCT-6.jpg\" width=\"700\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.3dnatives.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/RAPID-TCT-6.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.3dnatives.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/RAPID-TCT-6-600x343.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.3dnatives.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/RAPID-TCT-6-160x91.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\">Celebrating AM Achievement<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">New for 2026, the SME AM Awards and TCT Awards Gala takes place the evening of April 14. The joint ceremony brings together two long-standing recognition programs, the SME AM Awards and TCT Awards Gala. It\u2019s a dedicated moment to honor the people, teams and organizations shaping additive manufacturing today. The gala will highlight accomplishments across materials, hardware, design, engineering, production and real-world applications. It will also recognize the winners of two student competitions, underscoring SME\u2019s ongoing commitment to workforce development and the next generation of AM professionals.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-69446 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.3dnatives.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/RAPID-TCT-5.jpg\" width=\"700\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.3dnatives.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/RAPID-TCT-5.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.3dnatives.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/RAPID-TCT-5-600x343.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.3dnatives.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/RAPID-TCT-5-160x91.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\">Join the Event<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Register for RAPID + TCT 2026 as 3Dnatives\u2019 guest. Click <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rapid3devent.com\/marketing\/discover-the-advantages-of-additive-3dnatives\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HERE<\/a> to claim your free Expo Pass, save 20% on Conference Passes and discover the latest additive manufacturing technologies, exhibitors and conference sessions across the industry.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Will you be attending the event this year? Let us know in a comment below or on our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/4987104\/\">LinkedIn<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/3Dnatives\/\">Facebook<\/a> pages. Plus, sign up for our free weekly <a href=\"https:\/\/www.3dnatives.com\/en\/3d-printing-newsletter\/\">Newsletter<\/a> to get the latest 3D printing news straight to your inbox. You can also find all our videos on our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCMWrNpdLOXa7BffRKXZoaZw\">YouTube<\/a> channel.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><em>*All Photo Credits: RAPID + TCT<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The largest additive manufacturing event in North America is back! Taking place in Boston, Massachusetts for the first time, the Conference Program kicks off RAPID + TCT 2026, starting April 13 and the exhibition runs April 14\u201316. Bringing together the&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6123,"featured_media":69448,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1,180],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-69439","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-rapid-tct"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.3dnatives.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69439","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.3dnatives.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.3dnatives.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.3dnatives.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6123"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.3dnatives.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=69439"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.3dnatives.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69439\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":69685,"href":"https:\/\/www.3dnatives.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69439\/revisions\/69685"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.3dnatives.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/69448"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.3dnatives.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=69439"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.3dnatives.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=69439"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.3dnatives.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=69439"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}