The duration of drupa, the world’s largest tradeshow for printing technologies, will be shortened from 11 to 9 days and will now be held April 20 – 28, 2021 at the Fairgrounds in Düsseldorf, Germany. The previously announced dates were April 20 – 30. This decision is in response to the wishes of its partner association VDMA (Printing and Paper Technology Trade Association) and many exhibitors, in order to make their tradeshow presentation more efficient and to concentrate visitor traffic in a more targeted manner. This is also in reaction to any continuing travel activities and restrictions, said organizers.
“Since we currently assume that fewer visitors from overseas will be able to travel to drupa 2021, we consider a reduction from 11 to 9 days to be sensible in order to manage visitor flows more efficiently,” explained drupa President Claus Bolza-Schünemann. “At the same time, the duration of nine days ensures that running machines can still be shown, which is a unique selling point of drupa.” Despite some COVID-19-related cancellations, the current booking status remains at a high level with over 1,500 exhibitors and a net hall space of more than 140,000 square meters.
“This once again underlines the industry’s confidence in the international appeal of the event and the need for face-to-face meetings, acquisition of new customers, and live presentation of running machines,” show officials added. “Many of our customers also see it as their own responsibility to strengthen the industry and provide important impulses personally on site,” said drupa Director Sabine Geldermann.
In order to guarantee the usual professional and safe tradeshow, drupa adopted to safe health protocols and also relied on a hygiene and infection protection concept that will be continuously updated to the latest COVID-19 protection regulations and official requirements. Geldermann added: “The character of drupa in 2021, due to the pandemic and hygiene regulations, will certainly be different from what we are used to, but it will continue to make a very important contribution to the economic recovery.”
For more information about show organizer Messe Düsseldorf’s hygiene and infection protections, please visit www.drupa.com. For further information on visiting or exhibiting at drupa 2021, please contact Messe Düsseldorf North America at info@mdna.com.
Drupa reduces show days while participation remains high
