Show officials report that drupa 2016, the world’s largest tradeshow for print and cross-media solutions which concluded Friday, June 10, has exceeded all expectations. After 11 days, the 1,837 exhibitors from 54 countries unanimously reported excellent business deals, promising contacts and a positive outlook for the global printing industry. The re-positioning of drupa and its focus on future themes with strong growth potential – such as 3D printing, functional printing and packaging printing – proved to be the right decision. Be it publications, commercial, packaging or industrial printing – printing technologies offered matching solutions for all of these applications while opening up new lines of business and business models, said organizers. “The print industry is constantly re-inventing itself and offers a wealth of high potential. And this is precisely what drupa 2016 has very impressively shown,” said Claus Bolza-Schünemann, Chairman of the drupa Committee and Chairman of the Board at Koenig & Bauer AG (KBA). “We were able to experience a highly innovative industry here in the 19 exhibition halls, one that has succeeded in moving out of the ‘valley of tears’ and grasping the future by the neck.”
Some 260,000 visitors from 188 countries and about 1,900 journalists from 74 nations traveled to Düsseldorf, Germany for the event. Approximately 75% of all attendees were executives and either made or were involved in purchasing decisions. The visitor survey also underscored that drupa is a pure B2B tradeshow and an ideal platform for business decision making. The final figures reflect this:
- 54% of visitors came to drupa 2016 with concrete investment intentions
- 29% placed orders during drupa
- 30% are planning to place their orders after drupa
- 60% found new suppliers at drupa
The reduced visitor attendance (the 2012 tradeshow saw 314,248 attend) reflects the worldwide consolidation occurring in the industry. This is why visitors’ high decision-making competence had a particularly positive effect, said drupa officials. In fact, every second visitor to the tradeshow expected their company’s own business to develop well over the next twelve months. “Customers – with very few exceptions – no longer come with large delegations or as part of a company outing to drupa. It’s rather the top managers who travel to Düsseldorf – and from 188 countries to this drupa,” said Werner M. Dornscheidt, President & CEO of show organizer Messe Düsseldorf.
More international visitors and excellent ancillary programs
At 76%, the participation of international visitors at drupa 2016 increased by 16% compared to the 2012 tradeshow. Attendees from Asia accounted for the largest foreign contingent with 17% (versus 13.6% in 2012), particularly from India (5%) and China (3%). The majority of the European visitors came from Italy, France, the Netherlands and the UK. “This means that drupa has enhanced its global market significance and its international rating even further. It’s the unrivaled global No. 1 tradeshow for the print and media industries,” Dornscheidt added.
The drupa ancillary programs consisting of the Drupa Cube, Drupa Innovation Park, 3D Fab + Print, Touchpoint Packaging and Printed Electronics and Solutions, were all well attended. One in two drupa visitors was interested in the various special shows and lectures. Particularly popular was Drupa Cube – almost 3,500 drupa visitors participated, especially in the keynotes by Frans Johansson (founder and CEO of The Medici Group), Silas Amos (founder of Silas Amos Ltd. Design Thought) and Shane Wall (Chief Technology Officer HP And Global Head of HP Labs). The Creative Day organized by Messe Düsseldorf in cooperation with W&V, addressing marketers and creative workers, was sold out. The C-Level Sessions geared towards executives were also fully booked.
The Drupa Innovation Park, with its focus on innovative business models in addition to technology innovations from renowned exhibitors, was another highlight. On display were ready-to-market applications for Augmented Reality in field service and in advertising, as well as successful examples for multi-channel marketing campaigns. A particularly notable success was the U.S. Pavilion with 15 exhibitors, organized by Messe Düsseldorf North America (MDNA) and co-sponsored by NPES – The Association for Suppliers of Printing, Publishing and Converting Technologies. In total over, 100 U.S. companies displayed at drupa 2016.
Drupacity was a memorable experience
The city of Düsseldorf presented itself as a wonderful destination,” said Boris Neisser, General Manager Destination Düsseldorf, the organizer of the Drupacity program. “Whether an exhibition or 3D event, discussion forums or a ‘rolling lab’, Drupacity gave thousands the opportunity to experience the tradeshow’s themes live and hands-on right in the city’s centre. Our concept of bringing the drupa themes to the city, thereby making it possible for people to understand and experience technology, paid off 100%. Thanks to numerous city-centre activities, visitors and Düsseldorf citizens were able relate to the tradeshow’s themes. The many guests from all over the world felt welcome in Düsseldorf and will return to their home countries with these positive impressions,” Neisser added.
As reported here earlier, drupa will continue its four-year cycle and the next event is scheduled for June 23 to July 3, 2020 in Düsseldorf, Germany.
