The duration of drupa, the world's leading trade fair for printing technologies, will be shortened from eleven to nine days and will now be held from April 20–28, 2021 at the fairgrounds in Düsseldorf, Germany. This decision is in response to the wishes of the partner association VDMA (Printing and Paper Technology Trade Association) and many exhibitors to make their trade fair presentation more efficient and to concentrate visitor traffic in a targeted manner. This is also in reaction to any continuing travel activities and restrictions.
“Since we currently assume that fewer visitors from overseas will be able to travel to drupa 2021, we consider a reduction from eleven to nine days to be sensible in order to manage 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,” explained drupa President Claus Bolza-Schünemann.
Despite some Corona-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. “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 a professional and safe trade fair as usual, drupa not only adapted the general conditions but also relies on a hygiene and infection protection concept that is continuously adapted to the latest Corona protection regulations and official requirements. Sabine 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.”