EFI latest to exit drupa trade show

Digital imaging pioneer EFI is the latest major name to withdraw from the giant drupa trade show, following Kodak, and the biggest single exhibitor HP, out of the door this week.

The expo, widely regarded as the biggest event in print, and which attracted 260,000 printers to its 2016 event, is due to take place 20-28 April next year having been rescheduled from June due to Covid.

There are 1800 exhibitors at drupa over the 19 halls of the fairground, but this week’s "no thanks" means half of the top 20 biggest exhibitors will not be there.

EFI said, out of an abundance of caution for employees, customers, prospects, and partners, Electronics For Imaging has cancelled its planned exhibit at the drupa 2021.

Jeff Jacobson, chairman and CEO of EFI, and a drupa veteran, said: “Our company has a long, positive history with drupa, as do I personally, having also run two companies that have been major drupa exhibitors in the past. The show has always represented some of the best of what can be accomplished at an in-person event for the global print industry.

“But, with the limited amount of knowledge anyone can have right now about what conditions will be for public gatherings early next year, withdrawing from drupa 2021 is an unfortunate albeit prudent decision.”

Jacobson said: “All of us at EFI look forward to future drupa events beyond 2021 – and to other industry tradeshows – once the world has clearly moved past the current pandemic.”

In light of the significant disruptions Covid-19 has caused for in-person events and for EFI’s own sales operations, EFI has been hosting and will continue to host remote events and demonstrations for customers and prospects.

The company says it is equipped to hold remote demos every day of the week from its facilities across the globe, covering the entire portfolio of EFI display graphics, industrial inkjet, Fiery digital front end, and MIS/ERP workflow solutions.

The company’s own annual user conference Connect, slated for January, has already been moved to an online event. EFI Engage will feature training, education, new technology news and partner developments for EFI customers from 25 January to 5 February.