RAPID + TCT 2026 to Travel to Boston in 2026

RAPID + TCT is heading to New England April 13-16, 2026 at the Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center.

With this flagship industry event, co-produced by SME and TCT Group, RAPID + TCT brings the AM community together for technical exchange and real-world case studies. 

Why Boston

“Hosting RAPID + TCT in Boston gives us a front-row seat to where much of the nation’s innovation is happening, particularly in healthcare and life sciences,” says Steve Prahalis, chief operating officer at SME. “AM's biggest names—many of whom have been coming to RAPID + TCT for 10+ years—are eager to explore this new market.”

The region is home to nearly 20,000 manufacturers employing more than 750,000 workers and contributing more than $130 billion to New England’s GDP. 

Several of Boston’s own AM leaders—including Formlabs, VulcanForms, 6K, Rapid Liquid Print and BigRep—are expected to showcase new technologies and materials at RAPID + TCT 2026, reflecting the region’s dynamic ecosystem of research, startups and established manufacturers, organizers report.

Its world-class universities, including MIT, Harvard and Northeastern University, sit beside leading research hospitals pioneering advances in AM for medical devices, surgical tools, bioprinting and regenerative medicine. 

“New England is a region where the growth of AM is on full display, from aerospace and defense to health care and more,” says Dr. Brett Conner, chief manufacturing officer at SME. “Bringing RAPID + TCT to Boston is a great opportunity for the industry as a whole to exchange ideas, explore innovations and discuss how we can collectively tackle the challenges American manufacturing is facing.

SME AM Awards + TCT Awards Gala  

An addition to RAPID + TCT 2026 is Celebrating AM Achievement - An SME AM Awards and TCT Awards Gala, held Tuesday, April 14. This combined ceremony brings two programs onto one stage, giving opportunity for the industry to honor the people, teams, and organizations shaping additive manufacturing. 

The gala will showcase achievements across materials, hardware, design, engineering, production  and real-world application. It also celebrates the winners of two student competitions.

New Showcases and Returning Highlights

RAPID + TCT will feature more than 450 exhibitors, 170 conference sessions and 200 expert speakers. New in 2026, the show floor will host four curated showcases that highlight emerging technologies and regional strengths.

• AeroDef Manufacturing Showcase, focused on defense and aerospace innovation. Massachusetts supports one of the nation’s largest aerospace and defense manufacturing clusters, generating more than $48 billion in annual output.

• Healthcare Showcase, spotlighting biocompatible materials, surgical planning and regenerative applications.

• Startup Showcase, connecting early-stage innovators with investors and partners.

New England Service Provider Showcase, featuring local manufacturers and AM service bureaus.

The event will also include returning offerings such as the Executive Perspectives Keynote Series, AM Pitchfest, and the Bright Minds Student Summit.

“No matter what stage of the AM experience someone is in, RAPID + TCT is the place to be,” Dr. Conner says.

Registration for RAPID + TCT 2026 opens on 3D Printing Day, December 3, 2025, with early-bird discounts available for conference passes. 

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.