Countdown to drupa 2021 begins

The 12 month countdown for drupa, the global printing industry mega trade show, is on again with key exhibitors looking forward to meeting printers face-to-face in Messe Düsseldorf next year to show their latest technologies.

The new date for drupa, April 20-30 2021, is now firmly locked into diaries after the four-yearly event, originally planned for June 2020, had to be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Exhibitors have released a series of statements supporting the decision to postpone drupa while also confirming their loyalty to the show and the importance of direct interaction with existing and new customers.

Fujifilm Corporation

Hiroaki Shimosaka, general manager of the Graphic Systems Business division at Fujifilm Corporation, says: “We were already in the final stages of preparing for drupa 2020. However, given the current exceptional situation, we believe the decision to postpone was both right and unavoidable.”

“The announcement in March has minimised the economic damage to exhibitors and we are grateful that the decision was made before the impact could become even more drastic. However, while the Coronavirus is causing social-distancing and general caution, the communication infrastructure provided by the printing industry, and the role of print remains unchanged.

“We are therefore preparing for drupa 2021 to be successful, when the extent of the Coronavirus has subsided.”

Pentabox

Giacomo Farnè, a sales representative for Italian exhibitor Pentabox, expressed a similar sentiment.

“We are glad Messe Düsseldorf decided to postpone drupa to 2021,” Farnè said.

“drupa is the industry’s key event everyone is waiting for. That’s why it is so important that the fair can function without restrictions, that many visitors come and that we can exchange ideas intensively for 11 days”.

There have also been a number of positive comments from countries with strong representation at drupa which have been heavily affected by the coronavirus including China and Italy.

Technomac Italia

“Due to the pandemic, we need to give people and companies the time to regain their strength and wait for confidence to return as the driving force for private and business life. We believe that the postponement of drupa gives everyone the opportunity to regain balance on which to build the future,” says Stefano Monfredini, sales director, Technomac Italia.

Loretta Sellecchia, marketing and export manager at SCS Atomaberg is equally hopeful: “Although it will take some time to get back to normal, we are confident that drupa will be the solution to give the printing industry a new boost”.

Bobst

Bobst chief executive officer Jean-Pascal Bost describes drupa as an indispensable platform for industry participants, providing orientation, impetus and, above all, meeting the demand for face-to-face meetings to a high degree.

“At the first drupa in 1951, Bobst sold 43 machines. 70 years later, in 2021, we will be shaping the future of the packaging world at drupa by actively driving change in the industry,” Bost says.

“Sharing our vision in a changing world is essential, and drupa 2021 will be the right place to do so.”

Koenig & Bauer

Claus Bolza-Schünemann, CEO of Koenig & Bauer adds: “drupa is the leading trade fair and the highlight of an entire industry. We at Koenig & Bauer have already put a lot of energy and passion into drupa. We would like to share this with you – also in 2021 – and of course on the way there. Stay tuned, it’s worth it!”

From the organisers

drupa organisers say some exhibitors are planning to make the most of the additional time to complete and redevelop further innovations.

Exhibitors and members of the global community are encouraged to take advantage of features on drupa’s website to present themselves, publish their company and product information free of charge and keep up to date via the newsroom and social media channels.

“These services can bridge the current need for presentation and visibility as well as provide the industry with targeted information and interaction,” drupa organisers say.

There are now 365 days before the start of drupa and organisers are working hard to support  the exhibitors in their efforts to remain successful in the market even after the effects of the Coronavirus.

“After the storm comes a rainbow”, believes Guanghui Wu, Chairman of Shanghai Yoco Printing Machinery. And Wei Huang, Chairman of UP Group adds: “We are looking forward to April 2021 to meet at the most important global meeting place for the industry – drupa!“

The online ticket shop for drupa 2021 is now open.

For further information and regular updates, please visit www.drupa.com.

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