Drupa, the world’s leading trade fair for printing technologies, having already postponed this year’s event due to coronavirus, will also reduce the running time of the rescheduled 2021 from 11 days to nine. The revised dates are April 20-28, 2021. In cutting the length of the event, Drupa is responding to the wishes of partner association VDMA (Printing and Paper Technology Trade Association) and many exhibitors to make the trade fair presentation more efficient, bearing in the mind the possibility that travel restrictions may still be in place by that time.
“Since we are currently assuming that fewer visitors from overseas will be able to travel to Drupa 2021, we consider a reduction from 11 to nine days to be sensible in order to direct visitor flows more efficiently,” said Drupa President Claus Bolza-Schünemann. More than 1,500 exhibitors have already booked a spot at Drupa despite the uncertainty, underlining the industry’s confidence in the international appeal of the event and the need for face-to-face meetings, acquisition of new customers or live presentation of running machines.
“Many of our customers see it as their own responsibility to strengthen the industry and provide important impulses personally on-site,” said Drupa Director Sabine Geldermann. Drupa has not only adapted the general conditions but also implemented a hygiene and infection protection concept in line with the latest protection regulations and official requirements. Ms. Geldermann explained: “The character of Drupa in 2021, due to the pandemic and hygiene regulations, will certainly be different from what we are used to, but it will continue to make a very important contribution to the economic recovery.”
In postponing Drupa, Messe Düsseldorf announced it was following the recommendation of the crisis management team of the German Federal Government to take into account the principles of the Robert Koch Institute when assessing the risk of major events. Based on this recommendation and the high number of people reportedly contracted Covid-19, especially in Europe, Messe Düsseldorf reassessed the situation. Furthermore, a general ruling issued by the city of Düsseldorf on March 11 banned events with more than 1,000 participants.