Citing ongoing health concerns and the risks involved with traveling and gathering in large groups (along with concerns for their employees, customers, prospects and partners), two more original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have made the bittersweet decision to pull out of the world’s largest printing industry tradeshow. The most recent to exit the event, held every 4 years in Dusseldorf, Germany up until now, are Canon and Ricoh. However, in withdrawing from drupa 2021, set to take place April 20-28, both Ricoh and Canon still expressed their firm belief in the event. With the drupa preview virtual event set for later this month, both are also considering this as an alternative platform, combined with their own online-only in-house events. So, expect the focus on virtual events to remain moving forward. Canon and Ricoh join HP, Xerox, Fujifilm, Kodak, Komori, EFI, Screen and Heidelberg, who’ve decided not to exhibit for the same health and safety reasons.
All this being the case, the online platform “drupa preview” starting later this month, will offer exhibitors and visitors an additional channel for connecting with the worldwide print sector, discussing trending themes and presenting product portfolios. The portal will consist of threee content formats – Conference, Exhibition and Networking – to bring the worldwide printing community together. The drupa preview will therefore enable continuous exchange of information until the hybrid tradeshow April 20 – 28, 2021 in Düsseldorf, Germany takes place (which will combine the on-site event with additional digital content). In the online drupa preview Conference Area, users will find lectures, videos and interviews that will provide a preview of drupa 2021. These will reflect the overall agenda in terms of content and the knowledge transfer that drupa represents. On specific days and times, interested parties can take part in web sessions free of charge and chat with the speakers. Afterwards, the videos will be made available on demand. The Exhibition Space will bring together what visitors can expect to normally see in the exhibition areas – exciting products, innovative companies and expert input. This means that visits to the live event can be planned at an earlier stage. In addition, meetings can be arranged in advance at the Networking Plaza. The networking options will allow companies and interested parties to establish live, online contacts in advance, and intensify these contacts at the live event in April of 2021.
More OEMs exit drupa 2021 while excitement builds for its online preview
