Dream it. Design it. Make it. Bring it!
National Manufacturing Day will be celebrated this year with an exciting design challenge in downtown Huntington on Friday, Oct. 3, 2014.
Sponsored by the Robert C. Byrd Institute for Advanced Flexible Manufacturing (RCBI), Advantage Valley, the City of Huntington and Marshall University, the design challenge will reward makers who submit their creative, new inventions during the West Virginia Makes Festival, which will take place in downtown Huntington at the corner of 4th Avenue and 11th Street.
“We expect to attract tinkerers 
and hobbyists of all ages,” said Charlotte Weber, RCBI Director & CEO, “as we celebrate makers, manufacturers, entrepreneurs and innovators in West Virginia.”
The West Virginia Makes Festival celebrates creativity and innovation in all forms. Hobbyists, inventors, enthusiasts, students and other makers will compete with their new creations for prizes of up to $1,000. Judges will review participants’ new creations and award prizes in five categories. The challenge kicks off during National Manufacturing Day activities at RCBI Huntington.
“Advantage Valley is pleased to partner with RCBI in this new event to help spur innovation and creativity across the region,” said Chris Slaughter, Chairman of Advantage Valley. “Our region offers leading-edge training and equipment in the area of 3D Printing, and showcasing these Additive Manufacturing assets as part of National Manufacturing Day is well timed.”
“Manufacturing Day should inspire everyone,” said Weber. “Our festival will focus on motivating makers and creators, and tap individuals who want to participate in the surging growth of Additive Manufacturing technology with 3D Printers. RCBI is excited to encourage and reward the inventors and makers who can, and will, benefit from the resurgence of manufacturing.”
Participants who earn prizes will be introduced as design challenge winners during a 12:30 p.m. presentation.
Creators in five categories will be awarded up to $1000. Registration is free and easy; call 800.469.RCBI (7224) or register at this link.