DAMM2020: Redefining Additive Manufacturing Engagement in the Digital Era
The landscape of the additive manufacturing (AM) sector has long been shaped by events – vibrant gatherings that serve as crucial melting pots for innovation, collaboration, and knowledge exchange. These conferences, trade shows, and expos provide invaluable opportunities for AM players, researchers, and end-users to discover the latest trends, showcase groundbreaking developments, and forge essential business connections. However, the unprecedented global challenge posed by the COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally reshaped this traditional model. The immediate impact was felt across the industry as numerous flagship 3D printing events faced unavoidable postponements or cancellations. Early in the pandemic, TCT Asia, originally slated for February, was among the first to announce its deferment. This initial announcement was soon followed by a cascade of similar decisions, affecting major industry cornerstones such as the AMUG Conference and Rapid + TCT, leaving a significant void in the industry’s calendar and creating an urgent need for new ways to connect.
In response to this pressing need for continuity and connection, a pioneering collaboration emerged. Three leading entities in the additive manufacturing space – SME, Link3D, and 3Dnatives – joined forces with a shared vision: to create a comprehensive virtual event for the additive manufacturing community. This ambitious initiative materialized as DAMM2020, aptly named the 26.2-hour Digital Additive Manufacturing Marathon. It was a groundbreaking endeavor, marking a significant first for the industry by delivering a truly global and immersive online experience. During a period defined by social distancing and travel restrictions, it became abundantly clear that professionals within the AM sector still required a dedicated platform where they could seamlessly share insights, connect with peers and thought leaders, and continue to learn about the rapidly evolving world of additive manufacturing. Therefore, the core intention behind DAMM2020 was to precisely address this need, offering an accessible, free-of-charge event designed to cater to a global audience across multiple time zones, ensuring inclusivity and widespread participation.
The inaugural DAMM2020, which unfolded on the 27th of April, transcended all expectations, particularly given its remarkably swift organization. The event was conceptualized and brought to fruition within a mere three weeks prior to its launch date, a testament to the dedication and agility of the organizing team. Despite this tight timeline, the response from the industry was overwhelmingly positive, drawing an impressive 3,401 professionals from a staggering 1,458 distinct companies who registered to participate. This enthusiastic uptake underscored the industry’s profound desire for engagement and knowledge exchange, even in challenging circumstances. The marathon event boasted an extensive agenda featuring more than 40 insightful presentations delivered by prominent industry leaders. These sessions delved into a wide array of critical topics, from advancements in materials science and innovative software solutions to practical application case studies and future market trends. To maintain the crucial element of interaction inherent in physical events, the presentations were strategically interspersed with dedicated 30-minute networking sessions. The overarching aim was to provide dynamic, informative content accessible from the comfort of attendees’ homes, while simultaneously fostering the vital networking opportunities that are fundamental to the success and value proposition of traditional, in-person conferences and trade shows.
The virtual nature of DAMM2020 offered a unique and highly interactive experience for attendees. Participants were empowered to navigate an immersive virtual environment comprising 8 distinct “floors,” each featuring numerous interactive tables – 152 tables, to be precise. Each virtual table was designed to accommodate up to six individuals, facilitating intimate discussions and targeted connections. This innovative structure aimed to replicate the spontaneous interactions and focused conversations that occur organically at physical events. The global appeal of the event was immediately evident in the attendance statistics, with professionals tuning in from virtually every corner of the world. While the participation was broadly international, key regions demonstrated particularly strong engagement: the United States led with 42% of attendees, followed by Germany at 9%, and India contributing a significant 7.5%. This broad geographical representation highlights the event’s success in breaking down traditional barriers to participation. Furthermore, the virtual AM marathon attracted considerable interest from a diverse range of sectors deeply involved with additive manufacturing technologies. Following a comprehensive collection of feedback, it was identified that machine manufacturers and the aerospace industry represented the two largest contingents of attendees, underscoring their critical role in the AM ecosystem and their keen interest in staying abreast of the latest developments and connecting with industry leaders.
The resounding success of DAMM2020 serves as compelling evidence that virtual events are not merely stop-gap solutions but viable, powerful platforms capable of effectively filling the void created during times of uncertainty. Beyond simply addressing immediate needs, this new format demonstrates inherent benefits that position it as a valuable complement, and in some cases, a superior alternative, to traditional physical events, even in a post-pandemic world. Virtual events offer unparalleled accessibility, reducing the need for costly and time-consuming travel, accommodation, and elaborate booth setups. This significantly lowers the barrier to entry for a wider global audience, fostering a more inclusive and diverse participation. Moreover, they present exciting opportunities for data collection and analytics, allowing organizers to gain deeper insights into attendee engagement, popular sessions, and networking patterns, which can then inform future event planning and content development. One attendee eloquently captured the essence of the experience, stating, “An excellent ‘virtual’ meeting of minds in the Additive Manufacturing sector that covered a wide range of topics in a marathon of an event. The most valuable take-out for me was the Ryan Palmer (HP) presentation covering what the COVID-19 crisis has taught us about the agility that AM offers to pivot production quickly in times of supply chain stress.” This testimonial highlights the capacity of virtual platforms to deliver timely and highly relevant insights, especially crucial during periods of rapid change and disruption.
Another participant echoed this sentiment, adding, “DAMM 2020 was a glimpse into the future of tradeshows. The audience was relevant, the conference content was rich, and the ability to network with leaders in the industry in the comfort of my laptop was unprecedented.” This powerful statement speaks to several key advantages: the ability to curate a highly engaged and relevant audience, the delivery of high-quality, impactful content, and the sheer convenience and comfort of participating from any location. The question naturally arises: is this the definitive future of tradeshows and industry events? While it’s unlikely that virtual events will entirely replace the unique benefits of face-to-face interactions, DAMM2020 definitively proves that they represent a powerful and enduring format. The future likely involves a hybrid model, combining the best aspects of both virtual and physical gatherings to maximize reach, engagement, and value for the entire additive manufacturing community. Virtual events significantly reduce carbon footprints associated with travel, align with sustainability goals, and provide invaluable on-demand content accessible long after the live event concludes. To cap off this successful endeavor, we’d like to share three compelling fun facts that underscore the impact and innovation of DAMM2020:
1. DAMM2020 saw attendees from over 80 countries, truly embodying its global ambition and reach.
2. The networking tables facilitated over 1,500 individual conversations, fostering new connections and collaborations across the industry.
3. The event generated more than 2,000 live questions for speakers, demonstrating an incredibly high level of attendee engagement and interaction throughout the marathon.
The groundbreaking success of DAMM2020 serves as a powerful testament to the adaptability and innovative spirit of the additive manufacturing sector. It not only provided a vital platform for connection during unprecedented times but also laid down a robust blueprint for how future industry events can leverage digital technologies to foster inclusivity, expand global reach, and deliver impactful content and networking opportunities. We invite you to share your thoughts on DAMM2020 and its implications for the future of AM events on our LinkedIn page. Alternatively, feel free to leave a comment on our Facebook and Twitter pages – we value your insights and feedback. And don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly Newsletter to ensure you stay informed with all the latest news, trends, and developments in 3D printing, delivered directly to your inbox every week!