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AMUG March 2023

By March 16, 2023
 

March 2023

President’s report

AMUG Members,

As we publish this newsletter, there are only a few days before the 2023 AMUG Conference kicks off. We have made our final preparations, the agenda is available for review, and hopefully, you have prepared to attend.

However, if you or your company owns or operates AM equipment and you have not planned to attend, there is still time to register. You do not want to miss this event, which is specifically designed to bring a ‘community’ of AM users together to contribute their tips, tricks, techniques, and knowledge within an open networking environment.

Whether you are a first-time attendee or returning after many years, I encourage you to plan on staying the entire 4 days (and 5 nights) of the conference. Unlike most events that wind down quickly, every day and every evening is packed with activity. The adventure begins with an opening welcome session that lays the groundwork for expectations, and it continues through Thursday with our popular ‘hands-on’ workshops, where you experience applications achievable with AM technologies. Our agenda concludes with dinner and entertainment Thursday night.

Seize the opportunity to increase your knowledge while connecting with others. We are looking forward to seeing you at the 2023 AMUG Conference!

Mark Abshire
President
President@amug.com

Mark Abshire
President

Agenda and program updates

The AMUG Conference is just days away from kicking off; do you have your week’s activities planned out? The conference agenda has been posted, and the interactive Online Planner and Mobile App are now live.

Use the Online Planner and Mobile App to navigate through the sessions, panels, and workshops, as well as access the most up-to-date information. Please note that some sessions will have specific requirements (e.g., bring laptop, download software, etc.), so check the planner or app for details. To access the Online Planner and Mobile App, you will need your Username (the email address you registered with) and Registrant ID (the registration identification you received when you registered). Information on downloading the Mobile App can be found here.

IMPORTANT! If you already have the ‘eventScribe’ app on your phone, you will need to delete and reinstall it. If you do not do this, you will be forced to use your login credentials whenever you open the app. Once the app is reinstalled, you should only have to log in the first time you open the app.

If you plan on arriving in Chicago early, there is still time to sign up for a pre-conference tour of DMG MORI or Impossible Objects. Each tour is free to attend, and transportation to and from the Chicago Hilton is provided. Advanced registration is required and can be found on the website. Or, consider attending ASTM’s two-day certificate course “Establishing an AM Facility for Critical Part Production using PBF-LB/M” (Powder Bed Fusion using a laser-based system with metal). This course requires separate registration from the AMUG Conference, and participation is at an additional cost. For more details and the registration link, click here.

From hands-on workshops to keynote presentations, AMUG 2023 has lots in store. Plan your week with the Online Planner or Mobile App.

Elections for board positions

Our Nominating Committee has worked very hard this year to compile a ballot of qualified and willing candidates. We have a number of candidates for you to review and vote for. They have all compiled 1-minute videos and candidate profiles for you to view in the AMUG Mobile App.

The candidates running for AMUG Board positions are:

Secretary 
— Heather Natal

Director, Education and Conference
— Youping Gao
— Chris Harris
— Jordan Weston

Director, Events and Hospitality
—Thomas Sorovetz

Director, Sponsors and Exhibitors
— Tim Bell
— Patrick Gannon

You can cast your votes between Sunday, March 19, at 10:00 am and Tuesday, March 21, at 9:00 pm (CDT) through the AMUG Mobile App. Further details will be shared in the Monday presentation on the election process and candidates.

Campaigning is not allowed so the Mobile App, the videos, and the opening session on Monday will be the channels for you to learn about these candidates.

Elect the incoming leadership for AMUG.
Voting opens March 19 and closes March 21.

Scholarship winners announced

AMUG has selected Dr. Les Kalman and Brent Griffith, P.E., for the 2023 scholarships. Rajeev Kulkarni, chair of the Scholarship Committee, said, “Both of our scholarship winners exemplified a passion for additive manufacturing that was triggered many years ago but has not waned. Beyond that, the committee recognized their visions of changing how things are done coupled with diligence to make the changes a reality.”

Les Kalman, assistant professor in restorative dentistry at Western University, has been awarded the Randy Stevens Scholarship. Kalman teaches and conducts research at the university and has developed novel digital dentistry courses with experiential learning.

Brent Griffith is pursuing a Master of Engineering in Additive Manufacturing and Design through Penn State University and has received the Guy E. Bourdeau Scholarship. In his graduate studies, Griffith focuses on health and safety issues resulting from printer emissions. He works for Labconco Corporation, managing the company’s AM program.

Kalman and Griffith will take the AMUG stage on Monday, March 20, to describe their work, visions, and ambitions.

Congratulations, Les and Brent.

Dr. Les Kalman (top) and Brent Griffith have been awarded AMUG scholarships and will be participants in AMUG 2023.

The Manufacturing Loop

After an introduction at last year’s conference, AMUG is pleased to bring back The Manufacturing Loop for a second year with updated content. With the goal of bridging the knowledge gap in applying AM to the factory floor, The Manufacturing Loop is a collaboration between AMUG and SME that provides a compilation of manufacturing videos (videos provided by SME) that highlight the complexities of traditional manufacturing, such as tooling, equipment, and geometric dimensioning & tolerancing (GD&T).

These videos will be displayed during the AMUG Conference (on the second floor of the Hilton Chicago, across from the Normandie Lounge). Access to The Manufacturing Loop will also be available through the AMUG Online Planner and Mobile App for one year.

GD&T: just one of the videos presented in The Manufacturing Loop.

AMUG DINOs: join us on Sunday

This year’s AMUG Conference is a special one: AMUG turns 35 and the DINO turns 25.

In addition to anniversaries, we are proud to announce that we will have close to 600 first-time attendees at this year’s event. Your passion and past participation are a huge part of our legacy and fuel for the desire of first-timers to come and experience AMUG 2023. 

Our New Member Committee is asking for the help of all DINOs. If possible, please plan on attending the New Members Welcome event on Sunday at 3:00 pm. Your attendance and stewardship are appreciated for support of the conference first-timers. 

Time:    3:00 pm 
When:   Sunday, March 19, 2023 
Where:   Chicago Hilton, Grand Ballroom, 2nd floor 

DINOs at the 2022 AMUG Conference.

New members/ First-time attendees, please read

Important reminder: We are hosting the New Member Welcome meeting on Sunday, March 19, at 3:00 pm in the Grand Ballroom (at the Hilton Chicago).

Please attend to get a chance to meet some of our esteemed DINOs and begin your networking session.

New Member Welcome meeting at AMUG 2022.

Steampunk style

Are you packing for the AMUG Conference? Don’t forget your steampunk garb and accessories!

Our Wednesday (March 22) dinner has the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair theme with a steampunk twist. Last year (Roaring ’20s theme), it was amazing how many AMUGers dressed for the occasion. With that in mind, you can be confident that many others will be strutting their stuff in goggles, top hats, bowlers, gloves, vests, and tailcoats.

Steampunk will be all the rage during our Wednesday-evening activities.

Technical Competition at AMUG 2023

The 2023 entries are in! Be impressed by what your peers are doing with AM when you check out the Technical Competition.

The entries this year are so diverse and impressive! See them in Salon B starting Monday at 6:00 pm. Once you have your favorite, make sure you cast your Members’ Choice Award vote on the mobile app.

Have you ever noticed the pictures on the cover of the conference agenda? Did you know the previous years’ Technical Competition winners are highlighted on every agenda? The 2022 winners take the AMUG 2023 stage to share more about their award-winning entries. You’ll hear from Advanced Concepts winner Nanci Hardwick of MELD Manufacturing on Wednesday morning. She will share more about how “Metal 3D Printing Raises the Bar for the Army’s Jointless Hull Program”. Three-time Advanced Finishing winner Bill Braune of Dinsmore, Inc. is passionate about AM finishing techniques and will share details about the making of “Mars Attacks.” Wednesday morning is also the time to come see who wins the 2023 Advanced Concepts and Advanced Finishing awards.

The first-ever Members’ Choice Award was presented last year to Custom Prototypes.   Did you see its “Metal 3D Printed Bathroom Faucet” with running water? Thursday morning, you will hear from Jung Kyu Im and Daniel Goncalves about their winning entry. Also on Thursday morning, discover who takes home the 2023 Members’ Choice Award!

AMUG Conference agenda features Technical Competition’s winning entries for 2022.

AMUG hotel during SME’s RAPID+TCT

AMUG has made the Hilton Chicago our designated hotel for the 2023 SME RAPID+TCT Event.  Visit the hotel registration page to book your stay at this Hilton hotel.  The rate is $226.00+tax per night.

For those who will be staying at the Hilton Chicago (and booked a room with AMUG’s link) and attended the 2023 AMUG Conference, there will be a reception at the 720 S. Bar inside the Hilton Chicago on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm, sponsored by AMUG, SME, and Hilton Chicago.  The requirements to enter the reception are 1) you used the link to book your stay at the Hilton Chicago, 2) you have a hotel room at the Hilton Chicago Wednesday night, and 3) you bring your 2023 AMUG Conference badge to the reception for verification.  If you have any questions, please contact Thomas Sorovetz, director of event and hospitality, at EventManager@amug.com

A free shuttle between the Hilton Chicago and McCormick Place West will be offered daily.  You must show the driver your AMUG 2023 badge to get on the bus.

RAPID+TCT: stay at the Hilton Chicago and join us in the 720 S. Bar for the reception.

SPONSOR NEWS

Stratasysstratasys.com

Visit Stratasys in Booth D12 at the 2023 AMUG Conference

 

Featured in the Stratasys Diamond booth this year:

  • 3D printers from 4 different AM technologies
  • GrabCAD software demos
  • Materials & fashion display
  • And more!

Plus, plan to join us for the below panels and technical sessions:

Panel: Automakers Accelerate Production with New Powder Bed Technology
Panelists from Rivian Automotive, Toyota North America, and Stratasys
March 20, 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm, Waldorf (3rd floor)

How to Increase Part Accuracy Via 3D Scanning in Print Prep Software
March 21, 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm, Williford B (3rd floor)

Panel: How OpenAM Ecosystems are Driving the Development of High-Performance Photopolymers
Panelists from BASF, Covestro, Loctite, Evonik, and Stratasys
March 22, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm, Williford A (3rd floor)

How to be Successful with Volume Production
March 23, 10:30 am – 11:00 am, PDR2 (3rd floor)

How to Tune Non-Stratasys Materials on a Stratasys FDM 3D Printer
March 23, 11:00 am – 11:30 am, PDR2 (3rd floor)

On display at #AMUG2023, Stratasys opens unlimited possibilities for fashion manufacturers to personalize and customize 3D-printed fabric pieces.

Join EOS North America at AMUG 2023

EOS North America is excited to attend this year’s AMUG Conference with fellow industry leaders and AM users. We will be showcasing our extensive portfolio of metal and polymer materials, now with carbon-neutral and carbon-reduced material capabilities, as well as cutting-edge metal support-free technology and consumer products such as the MyBauer Digital Foam helmet liners and the Wilson Airless Prototype basketball.

Stop by booth #D11 to chat with our Additive Minds consulting team, ready to guide your engineering team from start to part. Learn more about our variety of industrial 3D printing solutions designed to enable your organization to succeed with AM at this year’s AMUG show.

We can’t wait to see you there!

Join EOS North America at AMUG 2023, booth #D11.

Würth Additive Groupwurthadditive.com

Training and education at AMUG 2023

Industrial adoption continues to grow. We want to make sure that process is as smooth as possible. Proper training and education for employees, business, and engineering leadership are key to reaping this powerful solution’s full potential.

We’d be thrilled to have you at booth D4 for any of the following:

Panel: 360 Degrees of Additive Edu – Launching and Nurturing at a University
Ed Tackett, Additive Lead Technologist at Würth Additive Group
Justin Gillham, Engineering Coordinator at University of Louisville, AMIST.

Workshop: The Future of Supply Chain is Digital – Corporate Conversations
Mikhail Gladkikh, Global Director of Technology and Technical Projects at Würth Additive Group
AJ Strandquist, CEO,Würth Additive Group

Panel: Best Safety Practices for Industrial Additive – Bringing Maturity to Employee Safety
Ed Tackett, Additive Lead Technologist
Anthony Sparks, Director of Sales Enablement at Würth MRO, Safety & Metalworking
Jacob Ayers, Additive Lead Technologist-Polymers

You can read about some of Ed Tackett’s thoughts here.

Ed Tackett, additive lead technologist at Würth Additive Group, to lead panel at AMUG 2023.

Meltiomeltio3d.com

See you at AMUG 2023 next week!

With AMUG 2023 just around the corner, we at Meltio have also prepared for the event! We will showcase our full product range of affordable, reliable, and easy-to-use metal 3D printing solutions in Salon A, Booth D1.

Our Meltio M450 metal 3D printer will be on display as well as several new applications we developed over the past year, so make sure to swing by. Attendees will be attended to by Júlia Hencz, global channel marketing manager, and Michael Humphrey, sales manager for North America. In addition, technical training and speaking sessions will be hosted in 4 panels by the Head of R&D Lukas Hoppe, Applications Manager Giorgio Olivieri, and Head of Sales & Marketing Gerard García.

We continue to innovate and will take the opportunity to explain in more detail our unique wire-laser metal 3D printing technology and how we help industries—such as automotive, aerospace, oil & gas, mining, and others—around the world to manufacture metal parts by reducing costs, increasing productivity, and manufacturing locally.

Schedule a face-to-face meeting with our team, and keep an eye on our LinkedIn channel for the latest news and updates!

Learn about Meltio’s technology and applications at AMUG 2023.

ADDiTECadditec.net

Join ADDiTEC at AMUG 2023

The ADDiTEC team is looking forward to meeting you at the AMUG Conference! Visit us at Booth D8 to see our latest 3D printed parts on display and to learn more about our metal AM solutions.

Don’t miss our speaking sessions featuring our CEO Brian Matthews and Materials Processing Engineer Sriram Manoharan:

Additive Manufacturing for Defense
Presented by: Brian Matthews
Monday, March 20, 2023
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm, Williford C (3rd floor)

Additive Manufacturing for Defense
Presented by: Brian Matthews
Tuesday, March 21, 2023
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm, Williford A (3rd floor)

Multi-Material Additive Manufacturing
Presented by: Sriram Manoharan
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm, Williford C (3rd floor)

Multi-Material Additive Manufacturing
Presented by: Sriram Manoharan
Thursday, March 23, 2023
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm, Williford A (3rd floor)

To schedule a meeting with one of our team members at the conference, please email info@additec.net.

See metal AM parts like these in ADDiTEC’s booth (D8).

Formlabs Inc.formlabs.com

Formlabs looks forward to an exciting AMUG 2023

The AMUG Conference is always the highlight of the year — where we get to gather with the 3D printing community, learn from the best and brightest in the industry, and connect with some of our amazing users to learn how they’ve been pushing the boundaries with AM.

After announcing the Formlabs Automation Ecosystem in January, we’ll give AMUG attendees a chance to see Form Auto in action and learn from our team about how this new product can streamline production, reduce costs, and supercharge productivity.

Our booth will feature parts and case studies by successful customers who are using our SLA and SLS printers to produce rugged end-use parts, on-demand jigs and fixtures, and high-performance replacement parts. We can’t wait to see you there!

Formlabs looks forward to meeting with our community and demonstrating the power of the Formlabs Automation Ecosystem.

GE Additivege.com/additive

Making the leap to metal additive industrialization with binder jet

AM has quickly evolved from prototyping to production. But, we are still struggling to compete with traditional manufacturing when it comes to conventional parts. Let’s face it; if a production part can be cast, it probably makes sense to go in that direction.

Until now.

After several years of development, GE Additive launched the new Binder Jet Line. The Binder Jet Line, with the proprietary binding agent that burns out cleaner than other binders, competes directly with casting so parts can be made better, cheaper, safer, and faster (in some cases up to 100x) than other metal AM technologies.

Binder Jet Line joins our other innovative additive machines, including the laser powder-bed M Line, a production system that enables industrialization at scale. Along with EBM technology, we are the only metal AM OEM that offers three different technologies.

During AMUG 2023, stop by GE Additive’s booth D15 to see samples of binder jet parts as well as components manufactured on other GE Additive machines. Check out our sample parts; stay and chat with our additive experts.

While at the AMUG Conference, check out our presentations and workshops:

Presentations:

  • Tuesday, 1:30-2:30 pm, Astoria (3rd floor): M Line Solves Stitching Problems for Multi-Laser Production
  • Thursday, 1:30-2:30 pm, Waldorf (3rd floor): Binder Jet Line: Accelerating Metal AM Production

Hands-on workshops (pre-registration required):

  • Monday, 3:00-4:00 pm, PDR2 (3rd floor): EBM Build Process Analyzer
  • Wednesday, 1:30-2:30 pm, PDR2 (3rd floor): Amp™ Software Platform

GE Additive’s new Binder Jet Line consists of the following components: Material Handling Station (MHS) – Liquid, Binder Jet Series 3 Printer, MHS – Powder, and Depowdering Station (DPS).

Dyndritedyndrite.com

You Control the Laser
Materials & Process Development for Aconity, SLM, EOS, and Renishaw users @AMUG2023

Dyndrite’s new Materials and Process Development software puts powerful tools in the hands of LPBF scientists and engineers.

Aconity, SLM, EOS, Renishaw, and open systems users, develop print strategies for:

  • New alloys and multi-materials
  • Printing intricate geometries
  • Controlling build speed
  • Improving material homogeneity or surface roughness
  • Developing new IP

Presentation: Join our CEO, Harshil Goel, for an overview of strategies for advancing your LPBF process.

  • Monday, March 20, 3:00 pm, Williford A (3rd floor)
  • Wednesday, March 22, 4:30 pm, Astoria (3rd floor)

Education: Accelerating Materials and Process Development led by Steve Walton, Dyndrite head of product development.

Part 1 – How Dyndrite adds flexibility to your LPBF machines.
Tuesday, March 21, 1:30-2:30 pm, Room PDR2.
Part 2 – Develop toolpaths down to the hatch vector.
Thursday, March 23, 1:30 pm, Williford C (3rd floor).

Visit booth D3 to get hands-on with Dyndrite.

Dyndrite is a Diamond Sponsor of the AMUG 2023 Conference. To see demos of its software, visit Dyndrite in Booth D3.

GoEngineergoengineer.com

Reaching new summits together

We’re so excited to see you again! We have a lot of great things in store for you this AMUG Conference, including:

  • New AM technology solutions
  • Nationwide support and solutions in US & Canada
  • Live demos of Stratasys PolyJet technology, DyeMansion, PostProcess Technologies, the new Onulis WRAPCure, and Creaform 3D Scanners in our booth (D13)

We will host a few presentations including:
Monday, 1:30 – 2:30 pm, Williford A (3rd Floor): Expert Strategies and Tricks of the Trade using Polymer AM
Wednesday, 3:00 – 4:00 pm, Astoria (3rd Floor): The Journey to Scalable Metal AM

Participate in our workshops:
Tuesday, 10:30 – 11:30 am, PDR2 (3rd Floor): Snap, Crack & Pop hands-on material testing workshop
Thursday, 10:30 – 11:30 am, Williford C (3rd Floor): Printer Hacks You Wish You Knew

Make sure to stop by booth D13 to discover ways we can work with you to find solutions so you can reach new levels of production. We look forward to seeing you soon.

See more at GoEngineer.com.

Discover your next solution.

Nexa3Dnexa3d.com

30 parts. 11 minutes. Live at AMUG 2023.

30 3-inch-tall 3D printed parts in 11 minutes. It’s something you have to see with your own eyes to believe. And at AMUG 2023, you can.

Come by the Nexa3D booth (Salon A, Booth D6), where we’ll run live demos of XiP, the world’s fastest desktop 3D printer. See how people like you have done everything from adding three extra iterations in a single day to on-shoring their entire production with ultrafast 3D printers from Nexa3D.

Live XiP demos at AMUG 2023.

MEDIA SPONSOR NEWS

The TCT Groupthetctgroup.com

Additive Insight #119: AMUG 2023

Mark Abshire, Additive Manufacturing Users Group President, joined us on an episode of TCT’s Additive Insight podcast ahead of this year’s AMUG Conference.

Mark talked about why he became a volunteer, the best nuggets of AM advice he’s picked up at the conference, and the unique value offered by an event that’s run for users by users.

Mark said: “AMUG is a jewel of the additive manufacturing community. […] There are lots of things that make it special and make it unique. We have a technical exchange of knowledge, we do presentations, and we do hands-on training. […] I don’t know of many other shows and places you can go and pour a casting made from a 3D printed mold.”

Listen wherever you get your podcasts and pick up/download the latest issue of TCT Magazine for a handy AMUG survival guide from our Head of Content Laura Griffiths.

To stay on top of AM, subscribe to TCT magazine.

Mark Abshire, AMUG president, shares his thoughts on what makes the AMUG Conference unique in Additive Insights podcast.

AM Chronicleamchronicle.com

Middle East pushing for leadership in AM

The article by AM Chronicle focuses on a few recent developments in AM in the Middle East. It discusses how the companies and governments in the regions are using AM to resolve the unique challenges of the Middle East.

Read the Full Story.

Advancing the AM and 3D Printing Ecosystem in the Middle East | ADNEC, Abu Dubai | September 13-14, 2023.

3D Adept3dadept.com

The January/February edition of 3D ADEPT will be distributed at AMUG 2023

As the countdown for AMUG 2023 has started, we have been investigating why this event stands out from the crowd. This educational conference somehow succeeds in driving a commitment that has yet to be seen in other events. In the January/February edition of 3D ADEPT Mag that will be distributed on-site during the whole week of the event, AMUG President Mark Abshire discusses the event’s uniqueness and the reasons why this family keeps growing. This topic, alongside other business and technical topics that shake the industry, has been discussed in that issue. Make sure you get your print copy on-site.

That being said, in our online media, we have started covering what we believe will be the key highlights of this event (read here), and we will continue to do so until one or two weeks after the event. So stay tuned, and if you know of a major announcement that will be unveiled during the AMUG Conference that has not been covered, you can reach out to us via our general email address.

Read the January/February edition of 3D ADEPT Mag.

VoxelMattersvoxelmatters.com

3dpbm rebrands as VoxelMatters

As an AM industry professional, you’ve come to know and trust 3dpbm—probably even before you learned how to pronounce and write the name correctly (we don’t blame you)—as a source of the latest and most important industry news and insights. Now, we are excited to announce we are rebranding to VoxelMatters, a new identity encompassing all our industry resources and reflecting a continuously evolving sector.

The decision to rebrand was made to reflect our company’s evolution beyond its original focus and accompany the AM industry as it expands toward widespread adoption. The new websites feature a clean, modern design, improved navigation, and enhanced user experience. Besides reporting on the VoxelMatters industry news website, expanding the VoxelMatters Directory, and our free eBook series, we look forward to discussing our growing AM market research and analysis with all AMUG Conference participants.

See you at the conference!

A new brand identity for 3dpbm.

3DPrint.com3dprint.com

Jim Harrison on AMUG history

In this article (3D Printing 1988: AMUG is Born) in his series on the early history of 3D printing, AMUG DINO Jim Harrison discusses the foundation of the SLA Users Group, which would ultimately become AMUG. Jim provides the first charter of the organization, some of the early news announcements, memos about the event, and even 3D Systems’ first newsletter, SLAte.

May 1990 edition of The SLAte newsletter from 3D Systems.

Digital Engineering 24/7digitalengineering247.com

Robotics: design, printing, and simulation

The March issue of Digital Engineering focuses on robotics design and manufacturing, including a feature on how 3D printing technology is being used to create high-value, low-volume robotics components. The issue also includes features on robotic simulations and how digital twins can be used to create better robotic solutions.

Read the stories here.

Robotics focus in the latest edition of Digital Engineering.

Metal AM magazinemetal-am.com

See you at AMUG 2023!

With AMUG 2023 just around the corner, the Metal AM magazine team is getting ready for the event, and we’re excited to be a key media sponsor once again. We have been fortunate to have been able to collaborate with AMUG since 2015, together furthering our shared mission of educating and advancing the knowledge around metal AM technologies.

As a leading publication for the metal AM industry, we are dedicated to keeping our readers up-to-date on the latest developments in the field. We’re excited to connect with AM engineers, designers, managers, and educators from around the world at this year’s conference.

Metal AM magazine’s Nick Williams and Jon Craxford will be in Chicago from March 19 – 23. We invite you to drop them a LinkedIn message to schedule a chat on how we can collaborate. As always, attendees can pick up the latest issue of Metal AM from the AMUG media areas.

Can’t be at the conference? Download your digital copy today.

Our team will be in Chicago from March 19 – 23.