Like many of us after lock down, drupa has had a trim, reducing the postponed show from 11 days to nine, running from 20-28 April, 2021.
The next edition of the event had been originally planned for June this year, with the global coronavirus pandemic seeing it postponed and rescheduled to 20-30, April 2021.
The decision to reduce the duration of the trade fair from 11 to nine days for 2021 responds to the wishes of partner association VDMA (Printing and Paper Technology Trade Association), as well as many exhibitors, to make the trade fair more efficient and to concentrate the volume of visitors in a targeted manner. This is also in reaction to any continuing travel activities and restrictions, as drupa president Claus Bolza-Schünemann explained.
‘Since we are currently assuming that fewer visitors from overseas will be able to travel to drupa 2021, we consider a reduction from 11 to nine days to be sensible in order to direct visitor flows more efficiently. 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,’ said Mr Bolza-Schünemann.
Despite the recent withdrawal of the linchpin exhibitor Heidelberg, organisers claim that the current booking status ‘remains at a high level’, with over 1500 exhibitors and a net hall space of more than 140,000sqm. Which it says illustrates the industry’s confidence in the international appeal of the event, with the need for face-to-face meetings, the acquisition of new customers, and/or live presentation of running machines still existing.
According to drupa director Sabine Geldermann, ‘Many of our customers also see it as their own responsibility to strengthen the industry and provide important impulses personally on site.’
In order to guarantee a professional and safe trade fair experience, Messe Düsseldorf, and drupa, has adopted a hygiene and infection protection concept that is continuously adapted to the latest coronavirus protection regulations and official requirements.
Ms Geldermann stated, ‘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.’
