Materialise World Summit 2017: 3D Printing Experts Gather in Brussels to Talk Healthcare, Additive Manufacturing and the Future

3D printing conferences, while usually extremely busy, offer a unique opportunity to learn about what’s coming next in 3D printing technology, get first-hand demonstrations, test out the newest products, and network with industry officials that you already know, and many that you don’t. In about a week, many industry professionals will be traveling to Brussels, Belgium, to attend the Materialise World Summit, with a theme of “Think. Beyond. Together.” 3DPrint.com will also be there, to bring you the latest 3D printing technology news from the event floor.

The two-day event, starting April 20th, is a chance to meet the international decision-makers, from a variety of industries and businesses, who have incorporated 3D printing into the daily life of their organizations. Attendees will learn about and discuss the current 3D printing milestones, and the summit will provide many opportunities to spark conversations that could potentially lead to partnerships and collaborative innovation with other organizations and people. Materialise is bringing important stakeholders together at the summit, thanks to its large network of top industrial, healthcare, and technological businesses. In addition, we were pretty excited to see the list of keynote speakers at the summit!

Dr. Jonathan Morris

Dr. Jonathan Morris, from the renowned Mayo Clinic, will be speaking about what the future of healthcare looks like, and how Mayo Clinic, a pioneer in healthcare 3D printing healthcare that 3D printed over 400 models in 2016, is turning that future into reality today. The researchers, radiologists, and surgeons who work at the Mayo Clinic enjoy the many benefits of its Anatomic Modeling Lab, and also use Materialise 3D printing healthcare solutions to positively impact the lives of their patients. Dr. Morris uses 3D printing to get a 3D visualization of patient anatomies, and uses precise, 3D printed anatomical models as surgery guides; he will be speaking at the summit on April 20th, at noon.

Alireza Parandian, the Corporate Business Developer at Materialise, will take the stage at the summit’s opening session as a co-keynote speaker, along with Hoya Vision Care‘s Felix España, to discuss what goes into leading the charge on a digital transformation. Their teams spent two years creating together, and España and Parandian introduced the world’s first 3D-tailored eyewear, Yuniku, which introduces vision-centric design.

Fried Vancrean

Another keynote speaker 3DPrint.com is excited to hear from is Materialise CEO Fried Vancraen, who holds multiple patents related to the many medical and technical applications of 3D printing, and wants to use the technology to better people’s lives. He is the recipient of the 3D printing industry’s highest honor, the RTAM/SME Industry Achievement Award, and was chosen by industry professionals and TCT Magazine as the most influential person in additive manufacturing.

“I have always believed that innovation is linked to value,” Vancraen wrote in a Materialise blog post. “It means taking a product or a service, and adding that extra dimension to it that increases its value. So, when I first encountered 3D Printing in a research facility in Bremen almost 30 years ago, my mind started racing with the possibilities the technology presented – here was something which could really add value to the way we make things.

In fact, one of the key strengths of 3D Printing is that it is such a flexible technology, one with almost endless possibilities. There is no one killer application – there are several. Since 1990, I’ve seen the technology grow and expand the boundaries of its applications in diverse ways. And, I have been proud to see Materialise playing a crucial role in developing many transformative applications around the world in a wide range of industries, from aerospace to healthcare. Our experience has taught us that the best way for the industry to move forward is to make the transition together with creative partners who aren’t afraid to think big.”

Andreas Saar, the VP of Manufacturing Engineering Solutions for Siemens PLM, and Alexander De Croo, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Development Cooperation, Digital Agenda, Post & Telecom, for the Belgian Federal Cabinet, round out the rest of the keynote speakers for the Materialise World Summit. Of course, there will be many other speakers at the summit’s two separate sessions. 3D printed biodegradable devices, the importance of 3D technology in transcatheter mitral valve therapies, 3D printed implants, 3D technology and healthcare regulations, and several others topics will take top billing in the Healthcare session, while speakers in the Additive Manufacturing session will present on topics such as 3D printing technology disrupting the automotive tool industry, the current trends in metal 3D printing, and the advanced material technology in the aircraft industry.

In addition to the innovative and informative talks at these two sessions, 3DPrint.com is excited to meet with experts, peers, and industry leaders, face to face at some of the summit’s networking events. The show invites all attendees to visit the Gallery to interact with the exhibiting companies on the show floor, enjoy a snack, and explore the marketplace, or take advantage of one of the several networking breaks between presentations. Summit sponsors will be giving short demonstrations on the Product Stage during these breaks, and you’ll also have opportunities to connect with Materialise experts and other attendees.

Concert Noble

In addition, there will be a private event, starting 6:30, for all Materialise World Summit attendees, partners, and speakers on the evening of April 20th at the unique Concert Noble, a beautiful architectural and historical setting, right in the middle of the European quarter. It’s only a twenty-minute walk from the summit’s location at the SQUARE Brussels Meeting Center, but if you’re tired of being on your feet, shuttle service will also be provided. There will be a “walking dinner” reception at 7:30, along with some additional entertainment and multiple networking opportunities, to close out the first night. Don’t forget your e-ticket or badge to get in the door!

The Materialise World Summit also offers free WiFi, and all attendees are encouraged to use #MWS17 to share their experiences on social media. And don’t forget, 3DPrint.com will also be sharing all of the latest news with you from the two summit sessions. Stay tuned here and follow us and our Editor-in-Chief on social media for from-the-ground updates! Discuss in the Materialise World Summit forum at 3DPB.com.