Successful launch of drupa preview reinforces the digital network

The global pandemic has been a major challenge for the printing industry for months. This makes drupa preview a key tool, offering a platform in these difficult times for companies to showcase their innovative products and reach their target audiences. For exhibitors and visitors alike, this clearly marks a new beginning.

“The drupa preview also has a special significance for Messe Düsseldorf: it shows that even in times of crisis we can offer solutions to keep the industries interacting and networking. We are working intensively on strengthening global communication not only through our local events, but also by expanding new, virtual formats,” explained Erhard Wienkamp, COO Messe Düsseldorf.

“The response from exhibitors and visitors following the first preview was very positive”, said Sabine Geldermann, Project Director Print Technologies. “drupa preview offers a valuable basis for regular customer contacts, enabling ongoing interaction within our community during this pandemic. Its digital format helps enhance our customer communications, focusing on the industry’s future topics. From now on, it is our goal to create a hybrid concept, perfectly combining the best of both worlds in order to ensure the April event can take place under optimal conditions.”

Around 1,900 experts took advantage of drupa preview. The proportion of international visitors was at 70% (Top 5 countries: Japan, India, UK, the Netherlands and Germany). More than 14,000 pageviews also highlight the print community’s high level of interest in the content on offer. Around 1.400 exhibitors from 50 countries presented their products, solutions and applications within the Exhibition Space.

Second edition…

The second edition of drupa preview was held on November 17. The new digital platform registered over 3,848 participants. International top speakers provided important impulses on current topics, technologies and trends in the field of print and packaging solutions.

What potential does Inject Print offer for production processes? What packaging trends are emerging in global stationary trade and the constantly growing e-commerce sector? And what solutions do technology providers offer for industrial printing applications? These and other questions were answered by top-class speakers such as futurologist Jack Stratten, Deborah Corn, Intergalactic Ambassador to The Printerverse at the Print Media Centr platform and Fons Put, Senior Consultant at VIGC. Participants had the opportunity to interact with them via chat functions during the live web sessions and thus enter into a targeted dialogue. In a second round, Strategic Advisor Kristin Kain and Marco Kersch, member of the Bertelsmann Group Executive Board, also answered questions on how print can survive in a digital world.

“The response to the second drupa preview proved once again that this new digital format is an essential tool for staying in regular contact with the global community. We are also providing the industry with an expanded virtual business platform to reach the desired target groups via the existing worldwide drupa network in these challenging times,” saidSabine Geldermann, Project Director Print Technologies.

The number of attendees at the second drupa preview increased significantly by almost 50%. The proportion of international participants was 81%. The drupa preview and the 1,383 exhibitors from 49 countries recorded about 15,500 page impressions. The third drupa preview day will take place on December 8, 2020. Drupa will be held from April 20-28, 2021.

Tarsus Group confirms new Labelexpo India show dates

Tarsus Group, organizer of Labelexpo India, has today confirmed that the upcoming edition of the show will now take place from November 16–19, 2021, at India Expo Centre, Greater Noida, Delhi NCR.

Lisa Milburn, managing director of Labelexpo Global Series, said, “The health and safety of exhibitors, visitors and staff remains our top priority and we have been monitoring the ongoing impact of coronavirus/COVID-19 in India over the last few months. Postponing Labelexpo India by a year means that we will be able to run the safest and highest quality event the industry expects from us. In taking this decision we considered our wider show portfolio and acted on the advice of our local partners, the venue, the health authorities, and exhibitors. We are grateful to them all for their continued support and look forward to working with them on the 2021 edition of the show. Crucially, this event – as is the case with our other Labelexpo shows around the world – will play a vital role in driving the economic recovery of the region’s label and package printing industry, plus its supply chain, post coronavirus/COVID-19.”

Kuldip Goel, president of the Label Manufacturers Association of India (LMAI), echoed, “From a converter perspective, I, as well as the industry, are very much looking forward to Labelexpo India 2021, which will be an extremely important catalyst in the industry’s recovery post coronavirus/COVID-19. We are delighted to lend our support to this much-needed event and urge the industry at all levels to get involved – suppliers, manufacturers and converters.”