Drupa set to break records

Drupa, the mother of all print trade shows, has just got bigger.

The event that brings the fittest punter to their feet and makes grown printers weep is tipped to break all previous records. With 170, 000 square metres of exhibition space and 1,800 exhibitors, the 2008 drupa will surpass any other held in its 50-year history.

This news does not surprise president and CEO of Messe Düsseldorf, Werner M. Dornscheidt, who saw it coming before the official close of registrations in October.

"The registration figures provide compelling proof that more than substantiates the status of the fair as the world's number one event for the print and media industry," he declared.

"The complete palette of the global market's offerings and each link in the value chain, from design to the finished printed product, will be showcased in Dusseldorf. Industry leaders and global players will share the floor with small, innovative companies."

An increasing number of digital solutions have contributed to this growth. Project director, Manuel Mataré, noted an increase in the number that will be exhibiting. "What's most striking is the boost in participation by suppliers of digital solutions," he said.

"Compared to drupa 2004, this focal area will swell significantly and take on a key role in the fair's overall concept."

Some might see drupa as a chance to break in a new pair of running shows or get a workout without going to the gym, but according to the organisers, drupa is all about sharing knowledge.

"We want to support drupa visitors - to take them by the hand, in a manner of speaking, and offer them assistance," Mataré said.