AM² HUB Conference
Don’t miss it. The future is being built here.
Monday, September 15, 2025
*Additional workshop opportunities September 16 – 18 (Separate registration required.)
9:00am – 4:00pm
The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center
Connect with industry leaders who are leveraging additive manufacturing and advanced materials to transform how they design, create, and innovate. Hear firsthand how these technologies are creating real-world impact—and where they think opportunity is headed next.
Explore the real challenges facing manufacturers today—from tech adoption to workforce gaps—and get practical insights through expert 1-on-1 sessions and collaborative peer breakouts. Go behind the scenes of innovation and tour Virginia Tech’s innovative labs.
1. Network with C-suite industry leaders, technology experts and researchers, and
economic developers seeking to grow advanced manufacturing in Virginia
2. Exhibit your latest products and technologies
3. Enhance visibility and recognition for your vision, mission, and initiatives through
tailored sponsorship packages
4. Share feedback and guide next generation of AM technology and advanced
manufacturing solutions
Our sponsorship levels are:
• Titanium: $8,000
• Platinum: $4,000
• Silver: $1,250
You can support the AM² Hub conference through our registration process by selecting the “conference sponsorship” dropdown when registering.
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Check-In
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Why Additive Manufacturing and Advanced Materials
Panel Discussion
10:30 AM – 3:30 PM
1:1 Technical Assistance Open
Interactive one-on-one sessions available throughout the day
10:45 AM – 12:00 PM
Breakout Sessions
Additive Manufacturing 101 Workshop
Advanced Materials 101 Workshop
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Lunch & “Why Us” Plenary Session
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Virginia Tech Lab & MELD Manufacturing Tours Open
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
AM² Workforce Workshop
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Innovation, Commercialization, and Entrepreneurship Workshop
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Evening Reception at Maroon Door
901 Prices Fork Road
Blacksburg, VA 24061
9:30-10:30 AM
Why Additive Manufacturing and Advanced Materials? Panel Discussion
Panel discussion featuring industry leaders and their insights on investing in additive manufacturing and advanced technologies and future market opportunities.
Panelists:
Nanci Hardwick
CEO, MELD Manufacturing, MELD PrintWorks, and Aeroprobe
Alan Pearce
CEO, FasTech
Richie Barker
CEO, WB Alloys
Vince Hatcher
Director of Operations, Hollingsworth & Vose
10:30-3:30 AM
1:1 Technical Assistance Open
Interactive one-on-one sessions where companies will work with experts to develop new ideas and recommendations for technology adoption.
10:45-12:00 PM
Breakout Sessions
Participants will have the opportunity to select one of the following to attend:
Option 1: Additive Manufacturing 101 Workshop
This session offers an overview of additive manufacturing, key applications across sectors, common challenges, and tips to successfully integrate AM into manufacturing environments.
Panelists:
Bart Raemaeykers
Professor, Virginia Tech Mechanical Engineering
Bill Donohue
President & Executive Director, GENEDGE
Option 2: Advanced Materials 101 Workshop
This session introduces the critical role of advanced materials in advanced manufacturing. Experts will cover materials—including high-performance polymers, metals, and composites—their unique properties, and how they’re driving innovation across industries.
Panelists:
Vince Baranauskas
Chief Technology Officer, MacroVation
Cary Hill
Director, Nanomaterial and Emerging Contaminant Safety at ITA International
12:00-1:00 PM
Lunch & Why Us? Plenary Session
AM2 Tech Hub team and regional organizations share what makes this region special.
1:00-4:00PM
Virginia Tech Lab & MELD Manufacturing Tours Open
Shuttles available for transportation.
1:00-2:30 PM
AM2 Workforce Workshop
This session focuses on workforce development strategies essential to supporting the growth of advanced manufacturing. Panelists will discuss current skill gaps and workforce initiatives and partnerships that are shaping the next generation of AM2 professionals.
Panelists:
Wes Smith
Executive Director, Manufacturing Skills Institute
Marty Holliday
Special Projects Manager, New River Mount Roger Workforce Development Board
Megan Atkinson
CTE and Business Partnerships Administrator, Montgomery County Public Schools
2:30-4:00 PM
Innovation, Commercialization, and Entrepreneurship Workshop
This session explores how innovators and startups can successfully bring new technologies to market in the advanced manufacturing space. Panelists will share insights on the innovation pipeline—from idea to commercialization and resources available to support entrepreneurs.
Panelists:
Matthew Hull
Research Professor and Director, Nanoscale Characterization and Fabrication Laboratory (NCFL) and Materials Characterization Laboratory (MCL)
Associate Director, Innovation & Entrepreneurship and NanoEarth
Jody Keenan
State Director, Virginia Small Business Development Center
5:00-8:00PM
Evening Reception at Maroon Door
More details to follow registration.
The Future Manufacturing Workforce Workshop at The Inn at Virginia Tech
Join us on September 16th and 17th for the Future Manufacturing Workforce Workshop at The Inn at Virginia Tech.
Register here.
This is not a sit-and-listen session—we’re asking for your voice to help identify real workforce needs and guide the development of a white paper that will directly inform Virginia Tech’s curriculum. Your input matters, and your participation will help ensure we create programs that truly prepare students for tomorrow’s challenges. We need your voice. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this important conversation—we’re shaping a document, and your perspective is essential.
By convening industry and federal partners for critical discussions, we’re ensuring that future manufacturing engineers have the interdisciplinary skill set to meet ever-evolving industry needs.
Throughout the workshop, we will:
Define Today’s Workforce — Identify current manufacturing jobs, required skills, and hiring challenges.
Shape the Future — Discuss the skills and competencies needed for the next generation of manufacturing jobs.
Gain Insights — Hear from keynote speaker Matthew Sermon on defense industry manufacturing workforce needs.
Expand Our Network — Connect with peers and industry leaders at an evening social.
Engage in Collaboration — Participate in an interactive workshop, followed by dinner at Lane Stadium.
Explore Innovation — Tour Virginia Tech’s cutting-edge manufacturing research facilities, meet with faculty and student researchers, and tour MELD Manufacturing facilities.
September 16: Full day workshop, with dinner at the University Club overlooking Lane Stadium.
September 17: Half day, including research presentations and additional lab tours.
Throughout the workshop, we will:
Define Today’s Workforce — Identify current manufacturing jobs, required skills, and hiring challenges.
Shape the Future — Discuss the skills and competencies needed for the next generation of manufacturing jobs.
Gain Insights — Hear from keynote speaker Matthew Sermon on defense industry manufacturing workforce needs.
Expand Our Network — Connect with peers and industry leaders at an evening social.
Engage in Collaboration — Participate in an interactive workshop, followed by dinner at Lane Stadium.
Explore Innovation — Tour Virginia Tech’s cutting-edge manufacturing research facilities, meet with faculty and student researchers, and tour MELD Manufacturing facilities.
September 16: Full day workshop, with dinner at the University Club overlooking Lane Stadium.
September 17: Half day, including research presentations and additional lab tours.
Sign up now for the Virginia Tech Nanoscale Characterization and Fabrication Laboratory’s Fall Workshop, September 16-18, 2025!
Register here.
Join us for the first annual VT NCFL Fall Workshop! The workshop will provide an intensive, hands-on introduction to advanced nanoscale characterization and fabrication tools at Virginia Tech. Tools include SEM, TEM, FIB/SEM, Raman/SEM, EDS, EBSD, EPMA, and Nanofabrication. See additional details about tools available through the NCFL here: https://www.ncfl.ictas.vt.edu/instruments.html.
The workshop offers small-group interaction with expert lab managers. Attendees bring their own samples and leave with data and an advanced understanding of how to use VT nano tools. The Fall Workshop is ideal for researchers across academia, industry, and government. New faculty, students, and postdocs will find the workshop can help accelerate their training and research. Industry professional will quickly become familiar with accessing critical tools and engaging with VT experts. While the Workshop is open to the general scientific community, class size is limited. Register early to secure your spot!
Early registration ends August 1, 2025
Target Audience: Attendance is open to the general scientific community and is not restricted to existing users or Virginia Tech personnel. We highly encourage anyone planning to become a VT NCFL user to attend this Workshop. Participants must be at least 18 years old.
Directions and Parking: Directions to the Virginia Tech Nanoscale Characterization and Fabrication Laboratory (NCFL)
Free parking is available in the large parking areas immediately surrounding the NCFL.
How can this Tech Hub support and grow your work?
Please reach out to us with questions and thoughts on how we might partner in this important effort.
