365 days to go for reset drupa

The one-year countdown to drupa is back on, with the reset show now slated to open its doors on April 20 next year, and the organiser saying virtual shows that are attempting to muscle into the gap don't cut the mustard.

 

The organisers of the world's biggest trade show are planning on the virus being history by then and will be looking forward to welcoming more than 200,000 printers from around the world to the booths of 2000 exhibitors.

Due to the coronavirus, the show had to be postponed for the first time in its history. It was originally scheduled to take place in just two months' time on June 16-26. The organisers say the decision to postpone was difficult, “but the only right choice for everyone involved".

The postponement of the show has seen some virtual trade shows trying to launch, as various groups try to take advantage of the interruption to the exhibitors product development and release planning.

However, drupa is emphasising the benefits of personal interaction. It says, “drupa is an indispensable platform for industry participants, providing orientation, impetus and, above all, meeting the demand for face-to-face meetings to a high degree.”

It is not the first time drupa has been on a five-year schedule, it switched to five years in the 1990s in order to ensure it would be drupa 2000 and not let now defunct rival Ipex have the glory.

The rescheduling of drupa is having a major impact on trade shows and industry events around the world, not least here in ANZ, where the PacPrint 2021 show scheduled for next May will now have to be moved.

Fespa Global is also in a tricky position. It had to reschedule this year's show in Madrid from March to October – seen by many as somewhat optimistic, and next year's event is due to take place the month before drupa, now also unlikely. Hunkeler has already moved its Innovitondays form March next year to the following year.