EVENT SHOWCASE: Plan Early For This Must-See Event

Reading news about drupa 2008 may seem a bit jarring. After all, the global print show that runs quadrennially in Dusseldorf, Germany, won’t open for eight months. But the massive crowds descending on the fairgrounds (nearly 400,000 visitors on site in a city of a half million people) requires plenty of advance planning.

And there are myriad reasons to go: 1,800 exhibitors in 19 halls, presenting a feast of new printing technologies. So mark your datebook for May 29-June 11, 2008, when the show organizer Messe Dusseldorf will present what it says will be the largest print, paper and packaging show in drupa’s 50-year run.

Evident at drupa 08 will be the robust stature of print in the Internet age. Online services are delivering new market opportunities, note drupa organizers, motivating the printing industry to embrace new offerings alongside traditional print media. drupa 2000 focused on the convergence of paper converting and packaging production, while 2004 showcased integrated offerings in the digital process chain.

At drupa 08, visitors will see an expanded presentation of digital print solutions—with a good deal of news expected about inkjet and continuous high-speed color digital devices.

“What’s most striking is the boost in participation by suppliers of digital solutions,” notes Manuel Mataré, drupa project director. “Compared to drupa 2004, this focal area will swell significantly and take on a key role in the fair’s overall concept.”

To handle the influx of applications, two new halls, 8a and 8b, have been opened in the north end of the fairgrounds, primarily housing exhibitors whose product portfolios hinge on digital solutions (e.g. Xerox, HP, Agfa, Fujifilm, Infoprint Solutions). The same thematic focus will also spill over into neighboring Halls 5 and 9 (e.g. Kodak, Konica Minolta, Ricoh). Other drupa 08 cornerstones:

• Halls 1, 2: Heidelberg, Gallus and Polar-Mohr
• Halls 3, 4: print, materials and services
• Hall 6: PrintCity and other exhibitors of print finishing
• Halls 10-12: paper converting, packaging production
• Halls 13, 14: binding and print finishing
• Halls 15-17: print machinery, binding and finishing

Despite the show’s high visitor count (394,478 in 2004), interests are specific. In 2004, 60% came to see print exhibitions; 41% were interested in premedia systems; 26% in paper processing and packaging material production; 26% in materials and consumption goods; and 25% in finishing and print processing.

With an abundance of non-local visitors (55% came from some 122 countries abroad, up from 47% in 2000), travel arrangements are an important part of the planning process. If traveling by plane, either fly into Düsseldorf International Airport, less than two miles from the trade center, or via Frankfurt and transfer by train.

Hotel recommendations, specific drupa packages (bookable online), cultural events, restaurants, shopping, city tours and weather links are provided at www.drupa.com.

The show will run daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Purchase e-tickets online—a one-day ticket costs 37€; four-day ticket, 120€; students/trainees, 15€ (the current U.S. dollar exchange rate is $1.37). When purchased at the box office—a one-day ticket, 55€; four-day ticket, 180€; students/trainees, 22€.