The 2007 3DSUG Conference was a tremendous success.  This year's Conference was the inaugural year that the User Group was completely independent from 3D Systems.  The Executive Board lead by Bob Zubrickie (Tyco Electronics) put forth an enormous amount of effort to create a very educational and hands-on Conference.  The 2007 Conference had over 250 attendees and more than a dozen donors/sponsors.  Because of the generosity of our donors/sponsors and the continued increase in attendees, the 3DSUG will continue to prosper and will be able to sustain its independence from 3D Systems.

The 2007 Conference kicked off on Sunday evening (March 18) with a vendor fair of over 50 exhibitors and a Welcoming Reception.  On Monday, 2007 Chairman Bob Zubrickie welcomed everyone promptly at 8:30 AM and we watched a video created by Steven Smith (Lockheed Martin - Missiles and Fire Control) followed by the 3D Systems Report.  Monday afternoon was filled with various breakout sessions and hands-on training, as well as the Resin Vendor Panel which was standing room only.  Monday concluded with the Vendor Fair and the Awards Competition.  Tuesday's Conference session consisted of the 3DSUG Business Meeting, hardware and software training, and "How to Read an MSDS."  The day wrapped up with the Annual 3DSUG Dinner and Awards banquet.  Wednesday's meeting continued to hold everyone's attention with Derek Ellis' "Silicone Tool Making" and Earl Dunlap's "RP Tempering."  DSM SOMOS hosted a "STELLAR" (as Tim Gornet would say) Casino Night, which was a perfect way to end the day.  Thursday's meeting started out with the 2006 SL & LS Excellent Awards winner's presentations, along with the Users Wish List & Open Forum.  The Conference officially ended at noon on Thursday, March 22.  After the adjournment of the Conference, Materialise offered Magics training to those who were interested.  Evan Kirby (Materialise) stated that he had eight people in attendance and that the training was a big success.

The 3DSUG Dinner and Awards banquet was held at Bruce Rossmeyer's Daytona Harley Davidson Dealership where we had our own personal "Daytona Bike Week Celebration."  This year's awards winners were Francisco Medina (University of Texas El Paso) for the Technical Award, and the Finish Competition Award was given Shawn Zindroski (Morpheous Prototypes/DSM SOMOS).  The Dinosaur SL Awards went to Carl Dekker (Met-L-Flo), Bruce LeMaster (Applied Rapid Technologies), Tom Mueller (Express Pattern), and Lawrence Winnen (Tyco Electronics).  The LS Award winners were Gary Rabinovitz (Reebok International), Gary Graf (University of Louisville), Kent Firestone (Solid Concepts), and Rick Booth (Advanced Laser Materials).  Guy Bourdeau (Huntsman Advanced Materials) was also the proud recipient of the prestigious 3DSUG Presidential Award.  The President's Award reads "In recognition of exemplary vision, leadership, and tireless years of service for the advancement of the Users' Group."  Guy has been our Treasurer for the past seven years and has kept a tight fist on the User group's purse strings.  If Guy does not believe that it is a benefit for the User group, he will not release the funds, PERIOD!  With his attitude of "The Users First" Guy has helped the User Group achieve a new level of financial stability.  Congratulations Guy on a job well done!

See you in sunny California,
Thomas A. Sorovetz, Site Coordinator, 3DSUG, Inc.

The 2008 Executive Board led by Sheku Kamara (Milwaukee School of Engineering) is working diligently on the 2008 agenda. If you are interested in presenting, please contact Sheku at 414.277.7189 (office) or 414.333.9421 (mobile).

"Putting the 2007 3DSUG conference together was both challenging and rewarding. Yes it is work and the satisfaction at the end is worth all the effort put into a successful conference like this one.  Thankfully I had an outstanding staff to help me. I have been a member of this organization since 1991 and it felt great to give back to the community for all the benefits I have taken in over the years. I encourage everyone to get involved at some point and help this cause. Remember this is run by the Users and for the benefit of the Users. If it was not for all the volunteers over the years, there would be no conference to attend and no educational benefits for you.  Please consider helping out.  I want to personally thank all the attendees of the 2007 3DSUG conference. You are the reason all this is put together. The 3DSUG community is like family and are some of the best people I have ever came across in my life. With that said I am looking forward to seeing all of you at the 2008 3DSUG conference. Keep those lasers burning bright."
~ Bob Zubrickie, 2007 3DSUG Chairman

"I had a great time at the conference.  It was well worth it for the knowledge and networking.  I had such a great time, I felt like I was on vacation.  While this is my first experience at the 3DSUG Conference, I feel like you really did a great job this year!"
~ Tone Scheetz, Morris Technologies, Inc.

"In my opinion, the best sessions for SLS were the open discussion forums.  There was a lot of good discussion and interaction between the moderators and the audience.  Also, the networking is always a huge benefit of attending the conference!"
~ Kent Firestone, Solid Concepts

"This was my first users meeting and I just wanted to say thanks to you and the guys for a job well done. I learned a ton and made some great contacts. Everything from the food to all of the events, was well done and it was a pleasure to attend the conference. My only recommendation is that next year we offer a survey of the lectures that people are interested in and then we can try to make sure that the most popular seminars aren't running at the same time."
~ John Mastoloni, M2 Systems

Just a quick note to thank you and all the team of the 3DSUG for a great conference. I found it very beneficial and thought the organizational side was excellent, well done."
~ Tom Walls, Laser Prototypes (Europe) Ltd.

Sheku Kamara
Chairperson
Milwaukee School of Engineering

Brian Bauman
Vice Chairperson
DSM Somos

Luis Folgar
Vice Chairperson
Prototype Productions, Inc.

Guy Bourdeau
Treasurer
Huntsman Advanced Materials

Brad Palumbo
Secretary
Phoenix Analysis & Design

Tom Sorovetz
Site Coordinator
The New Chrysler

Bob Zubrickie
Past Chairperson
Tyco Electronics