SME and TCT hosted a combined awards gala on April 15, 2026, at the Omni Boston Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts, to recognize achievements in the additive manufacturing sector.

SME and TCT hosted a combined awards gala on April 15, 2026, at the Omni Boston Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts, to recognize achievements in the additive manufacturing sector. The event, held during the RAPID + TCT 2026 conference, honored industry leaders including Joe Allison, who was inducted into the TCT Hall of Fame, and Max Lobovsky, CEO and co-founder of Formlabs, who received the SME AM Industry Achievement Award. The awards program spanned multiple categories, including hardware, software, materials, and application development, highlighting the diverse contributions of individuals and organizations to the global AM ecosystem.

This collaboration between SME and TCT represents a consolidation of recognition platforms within the additive manufacturing industry, aiming to streamline the acknowledgment of technical and leadership milestones. By aligning these two historically distinct award programs, the organizations are creating a unified benchmark for excellence that reflects the current state of the AM market. This event serves as a focal point for the industry, providing visibility for advancements in areas such as polymer and metal additive manufacturing, which are increasingly critical for industrial production and supply chain resilience.

For the industry, this event serves primarily as a networking and validation mechanism rather than a technical development. Companies and individuals recognized here gain professional credibility, which can be leveraged in business development and talent acquisition. Stakeholders should view these awards as a reflection of established leadership and proven technical success within the current manufacturing landscape.