The session to be held on 23rd January is expected to help attendees gain insights from an industry leader on the 3D printing market and where it is heading. The fireside chat will also cover the near-and long-term opportunities that 3D printing presents to the broader printing industry.

“3D printing has captured the public's imagination, and Avi Reichental is a true visionary in the fast-growing 3D printing industry,” said Gecht.

“I'm excited to have this unique opportunity for Connect attendees to hear Avi's views on where 3D is today, where it is going and what the opportunities are for the graphic arts industry” he added.

Reichental's company is a leading innovator in the 3D printing space. The Rock Hill, South Carolina-based business invented 3D printing with its Stereolithography (SLA) printer and was the first to commercialise it in 1989. 3D Systems has more than 1,200 patents, and its comprehensive range of 3D printers is the industry's benchmark for production-grade manufacturing for aerospace, automotive, patient-specific medical device uses, as well as for a variety of consumer, electronic and fashion accessories.

Reichental, who has been the president and CEO of 3D Systems since September 2003, was named as one of Fortune magazine's Top 50 business leaders last year.

EFI Connect 2015 is expected to be attended by hundreds of executives from many of the world's leading graphic communications companies. The conference features expanded content designed to drive businesses in commercial printing, publishing, packaging or digital print and/or marketing services toward better productivity and higher profits.

It will have more than 200 education and breakout sessions, including an additional keynote session on 21 January featuring Andrew Paparozzi, chief economist of printing association AMSP/NAPL/NAQP.