drupa 2016 has said it is already set for success as 80% of the exhibition space has been booked 17 months before the start of the show on 31 May 2016.
The international trade fair for print looks set to sell out as interest in the show shows no sign of slowing. Chairman of the board at Messe Düsseldorf, Werner M. Dornscheidt, said, ‘In the light of the challenging environment, this is a more than outstanding result. No other industry event worldwide – neither the small, regional niche events nor national trade shows – can offer what we can. This result clearly confirms that our strategic realignment with its focus on future-oriented and highlight topics is correct.’
Under the motto of ‘touch the future’ the exhibition will focus more heavily on future-oriented technologies such as printed electronics, 3D printing and inkjet printing with its industrial applications.
The show says that these innovative technologies are driving the market forward and are opening up significant opportunities and growth potential worldwide, primarily in the field of packaging, functional and industrial printing.
‘We recognised the growth potential of these markets very early on and successfully set in motion the special ‘PEPSO’ (Printed Electronics Products and Solutions) exhibition at drupa 2012, for example’, explained Mr Dornscheidt. ‘At drupa 2016 we will cover this topic with additional events in the specialised programme and in the form of special shows, known as touch points.’
Claus Bolza-Schünemann, chairman of the drupa exhibitor advisory board and executive president of Koenig & Bauer AG, welcomes the new drupa. ‘In the online age there has been much discussion in our sector about the usefulness of trade shows. However, the internet simply cannot replace direct contact with people and ideas in the global print and media marketplace, or indeed direct experience of the latest technologies and solutions for this enormously varied market. At drupa 2016 we are again expecting lively interaction for both tried and trusted and the very latest ideas in all areas of print and cross media. The slogan ‘touch the future’ clearly highlights the focus on innovation and new concepts. New topics such as functional printing, printed electronics or 3D printing will be reflecting the capacity for change and the need for innovative printed matter in our industry far beyond the confines of the trade show halls. KBA will certainly be there once again!’
The relevance of new markets and target groups was recognised early on by drupa 2016 exhibitor Mimaki and as a result the company is giving the show its full backing: ‘drupa 2016 will be the number one show to spot trends in print and cross media solutions, so that is where Mimaki will be’, emphasised Mike Horsten, general manager marketing, Mimaki Europe. ‘Our expanded portfolio consists of a myriad of printing solutions for any print service provider. Be it large volumes, personalised printing on particular substrates or peculiar objects, Mimaki can deliver the right solution to get the job done. This diversity in our customer base challenges us to select the right show for the right audience. But drupa delivers a heterogeneous attendee crowd and offers exhibitors and visitors alike the chance to get inspired to touch and print the future – we have to be there.’
