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The Additive Manufacturing Users Group (AMUG) has opened the online registration for its 2026 Education and Training Conference.
Taking place from March 15–19 at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada, the event will bring together professionals who own or operate industrial additive manufacturing technologies.
Over five days, attendees will participate in keynote presentations, panel discussions, educational workshops, and networking activities, alongside the AMUGexpo, which highlights products and solutions dedicated to additive manufacturing.
The program has been reshaped for 2026 following input from AMUG members. Among the most significant changes are the move to Reno after many years in Chicago, an increase in immersive, hands-on training opportunities, and a revised set of educational tracks that now reflect industry applications and vertical markets.
Shannon VanDeren, President, said, “We are very excited about AMUG 2026. It will blend staples that have made the conference so impactful for additive manufacturing users with changes that will elevate the experience.” She continued, “Every aspect of the conference is devised to help users grow and operations excel.”
What to expect at AMUG 2026?
Several elements familiar to past attendees will return in the 2026 program and remain central to the conference. The New Member Welcome will once again open the conference, providing orientation and networking opportunities for first-time participants.
Claire Belson Barnes, Director Of Membership, said, “The New Member Welcome is AMUG’s way of bringing new participants into the fold. First-time attendees will learn tips and tricks for a successful conference and mingle with industry veterans and long-time AMUG volunteers.”
To expand the scope of practical learning at the 2026 conference, AMUG is introducing two new elements: Hosted by sponsors, Training Labs will offer detailed technical sessions and live demonstrations, giving participants the chance to look more closely at processes and tools. Alongside these, AMUG has set aside a large, adaptable space for workshops that will run throughout the week, making it possible to schedule more of the interactive sessions that past attendees have valued.
The educational program has also been revised and will now be divided into 14 topical tracks. This change is intended to mirror the way the industry is currently organized, with a stronger focus on applications and vertical markets.
The AMUGexpo will open on Sunday, March 15, and continue on the evenings of March 16 and 17. Exhibitors will include established companies as well as participants in the Start-up Launchpad, a feature first introduced in 2025, which gives up to 10 new businesses an opportunity to present their work to the AMUG community.
Now in its eleventh year, The Innovators Showcase will feature an interview with a recognized industry leader, offering a chance to hear insights from their career. The program also includes the Wednesday evening Special Event and Dinner on March 18, followed by the closing Family Dinner on March 19.
Located near Reno-Tahoe International Airport, the venue spans 200,000 square feet of meeting space and 2,000 guest rooms, providing space for both the technical program and social gatherings.
Registration costs $1,295 if completed by December 12, 2025. Companies interested in sponsorship or exhibition opportunities can find additional information, along with registration details here.
Highlights from AMUG 2025
At AMUG 2025, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) engineer Ryan Watkins explained how his team is developing 3D printed crushable lattices to protect Martian samples during their ~110 mph return to Earth. Using the UnitcellHub platform, the structures are designed to absorb impact through controlled collapse, with a diamond lattice chosen for its stability and predictability.
Watkins highlighted innovations such as sub-100 μm features achieved through post-etching and rigorous process control on JPL’s qualified LPBF systems, stressing that cultural acceptance was as vital as technical breakthroughs in making the lattices mission-critical hardware.
During the “Additive Manufacturing for Military Forward Deployment and Rapid Sustainment” panel, experts from the U.S. Armed Forces and defense industry emphasized that AM must move beyond demonstrations to become a reliable logistics backbone for the U.S. military. They cautioned that acquisition delays often leave technologies outdated before reaching the field, making alignment with Technology and Manufacturing Readiness Levels essential.
In that context, the US Navy’s decision to designate AM as a program of record was seen as a pivotal milestone. Still, challenges remain, from licensing and cybersecurity to overly complex tools, underscoring the need for distributed manufacturing, streamlined workflows, and standardized training to ensure full adoption.
On to the product launches, Würth Additive Group released the full edition of its Digital Inventory Services (DIS) platform, evolving it into a secure system for digital part storage and distributed manufacturing. It enables encrypted file management, OEM-certified recipes, and integrated workflows, supporting traceable, on-demand production with printers like Raise3D’s DF2+ DLP 3D printer.
Meanwhile, US 3D printer OEM Stratasys introduced the Neo 800+, a large-format SLA 3D printer offering up to 50% faster speeds via ScanControl+ technology, with features such as Vacuum System Protection, real-time monitoring, and improved accuracy for automotive, aerospace, and industrial applications.
Additionally, AMUG also honored six professionals with the Distinguished Innovator Operator (DINO) Award to recipients including Amy Alexander (Mayo Clinic), Dan Braley (Boeing), Ryan Kircher (rms Company), Dallas Martin (Toyota), Patrick Gannon (Ricoh USA), and Brennon White (General Motors). Honorees were praised for their technical expertise, mentorship, and advocacy.
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Featured image shows first-time attendees gather at the New Member Welcome to kick-start engagement, networking, and learning. Photo via AMUG.
