While his company, Messe Reps and Travel deals with all the major trade fairs in Germany, Laing says that drupa is by far the biggest and most important.
In dealing with drupa, Laing has established close relationships with printers and suppliers throughout New Zealand and says he feels a close affinity with the printing industry.
“It’s a good industry to deal with. The people are friendly and straightforward and it makes for good relationships”.
After being involved with drupas 1990, 1995 and 2000, Laing knows the importance of the event to the industry and has seen the benefits for printers who have been in the past.
He is keen to help anybody interested in attending the show in both his capacities as a representative of drupa and travel agent.
As drupa’s sole representative in New Zealand, Messe Reps has all the information that prospective attendees could want. Laing is happy to talk to anyone about the benefits of the show, provide information and sell tickets and catalogues for the show.
As a travel agent, Messe Reps has negotiated competitive airfares to Düsseldorf and has rooms available at quality hotels in the heart of the city – something that is otherwise impossible at drupa time.
“The hotels could sell their rooms 10 times over for drupa. In order to get rooms we are always working with our contacts and making sure we’re on a good footing so that when we come knocking, we are able to get what New Zealand printers want.
“drupa is the big one for us, just as it is for printers. It definitely demands more effort on our part than the other shows we deal with, but that’s what makes it such a great event”.
Tickets to drupa are: €33 for a one day pass and €100 for a four day pass. Catalogues cost €26 (all prices are converted to NZD on day of purchase).
Travel packages to drupa cost from NZD$4499 including airfares, central Düsseldorf hotel accommodation and entrance to drupa.
Robert Laing can be contacted on +64 9 6252300 or eMail: robert@messereps.co.nz
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