EXHIBITORS SIGNING UP FOR DRUPA 2024

Exhibitors from 32 countries have so far signed up for the next drupa, with the show set to run in less than two years’ time, resuming its four year cycle after a Covid break.

The exclusive Platinum Exhibitor packages are already sold out, the company is currently marketing its Golden Exhibitor and Silver Exhibitor packages in limited numbers.

Since February companies have been able to register for drupa 2024 and the organiser says a positive trend is already emerging, with both renowned global players and newcomers across the entire print and packaging value booking their space, for what remains the mother of all trade shows.

The show is already more than halfway to reaching the 54 countries exhibitors came from at the last drupa, which saw 1828 exhibitors in total. The organiser says there is “every indication that it will again underline its position as the number one event for printing technologies.”

The next drupa will be held from 28 May to 7 June 2024 at its usual home in the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre, the 11 day event a slimmed down version of the usual 15 days.

The last drupa ran in 2016, with the 2020 show first postponed then cancelled due to Covid. The drupa 2016 event attracted 260,000 printers, three quarters of them from outside Germany.

Under the motto “we create the future” drupa 2024 says it will serve as a global meeting point, presenting the visions of the print and packaging industries. This edition will specifically focus on the mega trends of sustainability and digitalisation, as well as their influence on processes, products, sustainable business models and the future of the industry.

“Current registration levels, exhibitor feedback on impressive stand concepts, scheduled product launches and live demos of machinery all build suspense among the global community and are the reason for our great optimism,” says Sabine Geldermann, project director of Print Technologies at Messe Düsseldorf, who adds, “The industry has again proven its pivotal relevance with its broad-based applications on so many vertical markets – especially in times of crisis.”

After already acting as a Platinum Partner for virtual.drupa Kurz, worldwide market leader in thin-film technologies, is returning as an exclusive partner of drupa 2024.

“drupa is the most relevant trade fair for the graphic industry,” explains Walter Kurz, board member, Kurz. “All decision-makers, innovators, but also providers and processors of progressive technologies come together here, present their solutions and marvel at new trends – no market player can or wants to miss this date. We are already looking forward to presenting our innovative solutions in 2024 – first and foremost with a focus on sustainability.”

Although there are just under two years to go until the start of the trade fair, planning is already in full swing. Operative planning of global marketing initiatives, special forums and networking events has already got off to a dynamic start. Likewise, the partners operating the touchpoints and the Special Forum drupa next age (dna) – the innovative technology driver to connect industry newcomers, young talents, explorative start-ups and well-established enterprises – have already submitted their conceptual ideas and involvement of exhibitor partners.

“Promoting young talent and the next generation of print is especially dear to our hearts, just as it is to our partners and customers,” explains Sabine Geldermann. “Against this background we will design a fascinating paper artwork for drupa 2024, together with the Academy for Fashion & Design from Düsseldorf; in cooperation with other universities such as Stuttgart Media University, as well as vocational training colleges such as FHBK Dortmund, we will move the importance and fascination of this industry with its highly attractive job profiles to the foreground.”

This year will see several other international trade fairs being held as part of the global portfolio of drupa 2022: Indoprint in Jakarta from 31 August – 3 September, PackPrintPlas Philippines in Manila is on from 6 – 8 October, All in Print in Shanghai runs through 11 – 15 October, and PackPrint International and Corrutec Asia in Bangkok is slated for 19 – 22 October.