An online preview of the printing and packaging megashow, drupa, has been held with Messe Düsseldorf organisers saying the virtual event, which is designed to keep the global industry connected, attracted 1900 visitors.
The event included presentations from various exhibiting companies including Markus Hoffman of Leonhard Kurz, who discussed sustainable finishing in print and packaging. manroland Goss web systems and Global Graphics software also made addresses.
There was also a textiles panel discussion with six technology experts.
A matchmaking service is also part of the preview giving visitors and exhibitors the chance to connect and network.
Sabine Geldermann, Messe Dusseldorf’s Project Director Print Technologies, and Dr Markus Heering, the Managing Director of the German Printing and Paper Technology Association (VDMA), officially opened the virtual preview.
All speeches and videos will soon be available on demand on preview.drupa.com giving an opportunity for all to benefit from the content presented, even after preview day.
The next drupa preview day with further live web sessions will take place on November 17.
“The response from exhibitors and visitors following the first preview was very positive,” Geldermann said.
“drupa preview offers a valuable basis for regular customer contacts, enabling ongoing interaction within our community during this pandemic.
“Its digital format helps enhance our customer communications, focusing on the industry’s future topics. From now on, it is our goal to create a hybrid concept, perfectly combining the best of both worlds in order to ensure the April event can take place under optimal conditions.”
Geldermann pointed to the suffering endured by the printing industry during the global pandemic as a reason why events like drupa and the digital preview are key for the market to be able to show its latest technologies and for customers to understand more about what is on offer.
Messe Düsseldorf chief operating officer Erhard Wienkamp said the drupa preview has a special significance for Messe Düsseldorf.
“It shows that even in times of crisis we can offer solutions to keep the industries interacting and networking. We are working intensively on strengthening global communication not only through our local events, but also by expanding new, virtual formats,” Wienkamp said.
In his opening address Dr Heering said: “We are very happy to have a positive message to you to find a solution to be in contact with our customers and with our friends all over the world to offer opportunity for the manufacturers to get in touch with their clients on a virtual basis as well as on a physical basis with drupa in the future.”
Dr Heering said the virtual event is an investment in the future of drupa.
“We can’t turn back to a normal physical fair. In the future we’ll have a mixture, a combination of physical and virtual and this is an add-on for exhibitors and visitors alike.”
drupa preview
The drupa preview is broken up into three specific areas: an exhibition space, a conference area and a networking plaza.
Each area was designed to allow exhibitors the opportunity to present their companies and products and also give them a forum to speak and deliver their insights.
To find out more about the drupa preview and catch up on any keynote addresses, please click here.
Major manufacturers including Durst, Koenig and Bauer and Koenig and Bauer Durst are attending, while others, including Heidelberg, have opted out of the physical show.
Konica Minolta, Kodak, EFI, Ricoh and Canon have also announced they are not attending in 2021.
Seventy per cent of the 1900 visitors were international visitors with the top five countries of origin including: Japan, India, UK, the Netherlands and Germany. The event received more than 14,000 page views.
Around 1,400 exhibitors from 50 countries were represented in the event.
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