TCT Show + Personalize 2014 Proudly Presents Brooklyn Rising - The Story, Philosophy & Future Of MakerBot

'Brooklyn Rising - The Story, Philosophy and Future of MakerBot' will be presented by both CEO Bre Pettis and President Jenny Lawton to an audience of hundreds at TCT Show + Personalize 2014, which takes place from September 30th to October 2nd 2014 at the NEC, Birmingham, UK.

Pettis co-founded MakerBot in January 2009 in Brooklyn, New York, with a mission to create affordable, open-source 3D printers. The CEO's teaching, arts and media background has undoubtedly helped to shape the multi-million dollar brand into what it is today, with three retail stores in New York City, Boston and Greenwich, Connecticut.

Lawton has been with MakerBot since 2011 and has overseen the company's growth, retail and product development strategies. She was promoted to President in June 2013, when 3D printing industry giant Stratasys acquired the desktop 3D printing manufacturer and consumer 3D printing brand for $403 million (£241.7 million, €293.4 million).

The MakerBot story has fascinated the 3D printing sphere and wider tech media for some time because of its motivational story, creative products and attractive, easy-to-use 3D printing technology. This unusual ensemble presentation format aims to offer the event's diverse audience of innovators, press, designers, engineers, students and industry representatives something different from the usual keynote session.

'Brooklyn Rising' seeks to inspire the audience with MakerBot's tale of entrepreneurship, the challenges it has had to overcome and how the start-up mentality can still apply to a growing, globally-recognised company.

This will be the 19th edition of the annual TCT Show, the UK's leading 3D printing, additive manufacturing and product development event. The show will run for three days this year and looks set to eclipse last year's outing, showcasing nearly 200 exhibitors and up to 10,000 visitors from over 50 countries.

Bre Pettis and Jenny Lawton will be joining EOS founder and CEO Dr Hans Langer and CEO of Materialise Wilfried Vancraen on the keynote speaker line up, which will offer visitors the widest and most informed view of the maturing 3D printing industry.

Duncan Wood, COO of Rapid News Communications Group, which organises TCT Show + Personalize, stated: "We are delighted to have Bre and Jenny joining us this year for TCT Show + Personalize. The MakerBot story is one of the most interesting technology stories of our time, and to have the leading players in its journey live on stage with us in September is fantastic for our attendees. The inspiration, evangelism and can-do attitude that pours from the MakerBot brand is sure to resonate with our audience and make this a must-attend session at the event."

TCT Show + Personalize 2014 takes place at the NEC, Birmingham, UK on September 30th-October 2nd 2014.

More speakers and TCT Show + Personalize 2014 news will be announced in the weeks and months to come, including the full keynote speaker line up and speaker sessions.

For further information on the programme please contact James Woodcock, Rapid News Communications Group.

Tel: +44 (0) 1244 680222, Email: james@rapidnews.com

About MakerBot
MakerBot, a subsidiary of Stratasys, Ltd., is leading the Next Industrial Revolution by setting the standards in reliable and affordable desktop 3D printing. Founded in 2009, MakerBot has built the largest installed base of desktop 3D printers sold to innovative and industry-leading customers worldwide, including engineers, architects, designers, educators and consumers. The MakerBot 3D Ecosystem drives accessibility and rapid adoption of 3D printing and includes: Thingiverse.com, the MakerBot Digitizer Desktop 3D Scanner, the MakerBot Replicator line of Desktop 3D Printers, MakerWare software, MakerCare, the MakerBot retail stores, and strategic partnerships with top-tier brands. Join the Next Industrial Revolution by following MakerBot at makerbot.com.

About Stratasys
Stratasys Ltd. (Nasdaq: SSYS), headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn. and Rehovot, Israel, manufactures 3D printers and materials for prototyping and production. The company's patented FDM® and PolyJetTM3D Printing technologies produce prototypes and manufactured goods directly from 3D CAD files or other 3D content. Systems include 3D printers for idea development, prototyping and direct digital manufacturing. Stratasys subsidiaries include MakerBot and Solidscape, and the company operates the RedEye digital-manufacturing service. Stratasys has more than 1700 employees, holds over 500 granted or pending additive manufacturing patents globally, and has received more than 20 awards for its technology and leadership.

About TCT Show + Personalize
TCT Show + Personalize is the leading event dedicated to 3D printing, additive manufacturing and product development, owned and organised by Rapid News Communications Group (RNCG). Held annually, TCT showcases almost 200 exhibitors and presents a line up of internationally recognised speakers who shine the spotlight on the technologies and signpost how they will develop in the future. In 2014 almost 10,000 attendees from over 50 countries will visit TCT for inspiration, education and most importantly to do business. The mix of inspirational speakers, cutting edge technologies and innovative initiatives such as Bright Minds UK, the Startup Zone and the RepRap Hub — all accessible with no entrance fees for attendees — is unique. As a result TCT attracts business leaders, early adopters and a wide range of users from across concept, design and manufacturing to an event where they can see tomorrow’s technology today. Follow TCT online at www.tctshow.com and through social media.

Image credit: Louis Seigal, Insue Photography.