RAPID + TCT opens speaker call for 2027 Detroit conference

SME and TCT are now accepting speaking proposals for RAPID + TCT 2027, set for April 12–15 at Huntington Place in Detroit. The event is positioning the program around technical depth, practical case studies and business-critical topics as additive manufacturing looks for wider adoption.

Why it matters: - RAPID + TCT is one of North America’s leading advanced manufacturing and industrial 3D printing events, so the speaker lineup will help shape the industry’s technical agenda for 2027. - The conference is putting a stronger spotlight on real-world adoption, including design, post-processing, certification and the economics of additive manufacturing. - Approved speakers receive a complimentary conference pass valued at $1,500.

What happened: - SME and TCT opened the call for speakers for RAPID + TCT 2027. - The conference is scheduled for April 12–15, 2027, at Huntington Place in Detroit. - Speaking proposals are being accepted now through Nov. 4, 2026. - The event will return to Detroit, where SME is based, after RAPID + TCT 2026 in Boston.

The details: - The 2027 program is built around four main areas: Applications and Case Studies, Aerospace & Defense, Essential AM, and Research & Development. - Applications and Case Studies will cover Aerospace, Defense, Transportation, Healthcare, Energy and Consumer Products. - Aerospace & Defense sessions will focus on applications and enabling technologies such as AI, automation, advanced materials, digital manufacturing, qualification and inspection. - Essential AM will expand coverage of Design for Additive Manufacturing, post-processing, qualification and certification, economics, 3D scanning and metrology, AI in AM and standards. - Research & Development will highlight new processes and materials, with two tracks: Materials Development and Process Development. - Each submission must include a title, a presentation abstract of up to 300 words, a promotional summary of up to 75 words, a speaker biography of up to 175 words and a high-resolution headshot of at least 300 dpi. - Presentations are set for 30 minutes, with question time included in that window if speakers want audience Q&A. - Commercial and sales submissions will be disqualified immediately. - Abstracts will be reviewed by the RAPID + TCT Event Advisor panel, which includes technical experts from industry, academia and government. - The review criteria are originality, impartiality, learning objectives, target audience, technical level, evidence and credibility. - The conference notes that submissions are reviewed competitively because of the volume received each year. - RAPID + TCT 2026 drew more than 10,000 attendees, more than 260 speakers and more than 500 solutions providers across nearly 100 hours of technical programming. - More information is available in the conference announcement.

Between the lines: - RAPID + TCT is signaling that 2027 will reward technical depth over broad marketing language. - The emphasis on case studies, data and lessons learned suggests the organizers want more end-user evidence and less product-pitch content. - Detroit is a symbolic fit for the show because of its role in automotive and advanced manufacturing. - The expanded Essential AM track shows that adoption barriers remain a central issue for the industry, not just new hardware or materials.

What's next: - Speakers and companies working in additive manufacturing can submit abstracts through the online portal before the Nov. 4 deadline. - Accepted presenters will be part of the conference program in Detroit next spring. - Organizers are expected to continue refining the agenda around delegate feedback and technical demand.

The bottom line: - RAPID + TCT 2027 is using its speaker call to push the industry toward harder evidence, deeper technical discussion and more practical paths to additive manufacturing adoption.