Organizers of global print expo drupa (April 20-28 2021, Düsseldorf, Germany) will introduce a new online platform next month to offer exhibitors and visitors “an additional channel for touching base with the sector, discussing trending themes and presenting product portfolios.” The move follows the withdrawal of several high profile exhibitors from next year’s rescheduled trade fair over concerns regarding Covid-19.
“We have already been working long and hard on enhancing our digital offering,” says Sabine Geldermann, director drupa and Print Technologies. “The pandemic has faced us with new challenges and has ultimately been a catalyst for digitization.
“With the hybrid drupa we also give those visitors who are unable to travel the possibility to take part in the industry get-together. At the same time, we meet exhibitors’ needs to reach the international community personally. Via the portal the drupa platform therefore unites the global print community in a targeted manner.”
The portal will consist of the content formats Conference, Exhibition as well as Networking and will bring the community together, says a press release.
“The drupa preview thus enables continuous exchange of information until the hybrid trade fair in April 2021, which will combine the on-site event with additional digital content. In the Conference Area, users will find lectures, videos and interviews – providing a preview of drupa 2021. It will reflect the agenda in terms of content and the knowledge transfer that drupa stands for. On fixed days and times interested parties can take part in the web sessions free of charge and chat with the speakers. Afterwards the videos will be available on demand.
“The Exhibition Space brings together what visitors can expect to normally see in the exhibition areas – exciting products, innovative companies and expert input. This means visits to the live event can already be planned at this early stage. In addition, even meetings can already be set up: at the Networking Plaza. The networking options allow companies and interested parties to establish live online contact in advance and intensify this contact at the event in April 2021.”
The content of drupa preview is free of charge for visitors. After registration, content and videos can be accessed at any time.
For web sessions, live lectures and Matchmaking there will be a separate (free) registration for a specific day and time. The agenda of live sessions will follow soon.
Digital print technology manufacturer Screen this week joined a number of leading print companies including Heidelberg, Xerox, Bobst, Manroland, Sitma and Komori in withdrawing from next year’s rescheduled drupa, while decorative coatings business Kurz confirmed it would continue a company tradition dating back to 1954, describing its presence at the leading global print expo as “very important.” Koenig & Bauer has also confirmed its commitment to the physical drupa 2021.
While the new hybrid portal is yet to be launched, drupa has upped its online and social media presence with a new LinkedIn site.
