The countdown is on for drupa 2020 (June 16-26, 2020). The no. 1 show for printing technologies will once again prove its position as the world’s leading trade fair for the industry, as the current booking status already exceeds figures for the same period in 2016.
With 1,800 exhibitors from more than 50 nations, drupa underscores that it is the most relevant and important platform for the global print industry in 2020. The top exhibitor nations are Germany, Italy, Japan, China, Great Britain and the Netherlands. At the 2020 edition, the organisers are currently expecting 33% of new exhibitors along the entire valuechain and various cross-cutting technologies.
More than 250,000 visitors, 1,800 exhibitors and just as many journalists from over 180 countries will flock to drupa, the world’s leading trade fair for the printing, media and packaging industry, to learn about the latest trends and technologies in the world of printing and packaging.
What to expect?
The motto for the 11-day event reads: embrace the future; a prime event focusing on education, engagement and entertainment in a fascinating and inspiring atmosphere. International key players confirm that they explicitly adapt their technological innovations to the drupa cycle. In a time of continuous change and transformation, drupa 2020 is the industry’s must-attend event: the trade fair provides guidance, provides decisive impetus for sustainable and future-oriented business models and, offers a second-to-none setting for networking and making excellent new business contacts drupa 2020 will be accompanied by a high-calibre line-up of renowned, international speakers: our special forums drupa cube, drupa dna, touchpoint packaging and touchpoint 3D fab+print will provide high-quality knowledge transfer and inspiration.
The VDMA support…
For the first time, the VDMA Additive Manufacturing Association will be responsible for the content design and implementation of the ten-day lecture programme. A total of 80 specialist lectures are planned, which will be spread over two two-hour blocks every day.
With a view to the trade fair’s target group, the focus will be on applications in printing and paper machine construction as well as applications for media and packaging. The spectrum will range from additive-manufactured machine components to prototyping or on-demand spare parts supply for printing presses to the use of additive processes to manufacture individual advertising products and unusual packaging solutions.
“Since our trade fair appearance at drupa 2016 met with a very positive response, it made sense to expand our commitment at drupa 2020 and contribute our know-how,” explains Dr. Markus Heering, Managing Director of the VDMA Additive Manufacturing Association and also the VDMA Printing and Paper Technology Association.
In the five years of its existence, the working group has grown to around 150 members. These include leading suppliers of AM production technology for processing metals and plastics, suppliers of components, software, automation technology and materials as well as industrial users from various industries and leading research institutes. “Many of our members have been pioneers in industrial 3D printing for many years. They bring with them concentrated practical and theoretical know-how that we want to show visitors at touchpoint 3D fab+print,” says Heering.
Rainer Gebhardt is the project leader of the working group and will be responsible for the content planning of the conference. “It is important for us to pick up the drupa visitors where they are in additive manufacturing,” he says. For this reason, both introductory lectures on technical processes within additive process chains and insights into current and future applications in the printing, packaging and media industries are planned. “Additive design and manufacturing create scope for creativity in many industries. From this point of view, the technology also fits in perfectly with the drupa,” stresses Gebhardt.
Thanks to its broad membership spectrum, which includes traditional drupa exhibitors, users from many other industries and leading international researchers, the working group is able to offer the highest thematic diversity under its own steam.
Gebhardt is also inviting drupa exhibitors to address the working group with their own lecture topics. “We are open to suggestions and will find opportunities in the ten-day program to provide a forum for AM applications from the traditional print and packaging industry,” he emphasizes. A broad mix of topics is important to him so that the journey to Düsseldorf is worthwhile both for experts and for all those who are just beginning to get an idea of the potential of 3D printing in the printing and media industry.
What’s more?
From June 16-26, 2020, Düsseldorf will again become drupacity. Together with restaurateurs, hotels and retailers an impressive hospitality concept will be implemented, guaranteed to strike a perfect balance between high-octane trade show days and downtown entertainment.
Commenting on this Sabine Geldermann, Director drupa & Global Head Print Technologies, said, “Messe Düsseldorf looks forward to welcoming exhibitors and visitors, to the drupa Spirit, to innovative power and dynamics for the market, to the unique charisma that only drupa – no. 1 for printing technologies – offers. We look forward to a unique, successful and unforgettable experience.”
What’s new?
There will be an updated infrastructure and new services for customers: A new trade fair app, a new matchmaking tool, a new online order system for exhibitors compared to drupa 2016 will provide everyone the opportunity to optimise presence at drupa. For the first time a wayfinding tool to improve navigation on the exhibition grounds will be available. This way both exhibitors and visitors can definitely plan their days at the trade fair more efficiently and comfortably.