As the printing and packaging industry is undergoing a dynamic transformation that requires industry events – like world number one convention for printing technology, drupa to evolve and demonstrate its importance and relevance as a leading global trade fair, the global show though staying true to its four-year cycle, will now be a nine-day event to be held in same host city – Düsseldorf, Germany from 9 to 17 May 2028.
While the 2024 edition provided pioneering inspiration, the unique presentation of cutting-edge technology and machines in operation remains a unique selling proposition (USP) of drupa. The new duration will allow exhibitors to effectively present and stage wide-ranging product portfolios, machines and workflows as well as an impressive stage programme.
“drupa 2024 was more international than ever, and the positive atmosphere throughout the halls reflected our industry’s determination to drive profound change in order to make the printing and packaging industry more sustainable through automation, artificial intelligence and strategic partnerships. And these are exactly the kind of important goals that will continue to require a reliable platform such as drupa in future. What was also apparent, however, was that, as a B2B trade fair with a very high proportion of decision-makers from all over the world, the length of stays at drupa has become shorter. That’s why we want to facilitate trade fair visits with maximum efficiency”, Wolfram N. Diener, Chairman and CEO of Messe Düsseldorf, explains the decision.
At this year’s drupa, 76 percent of visitors were part of top and middle management. “We believe that this adjustment is also confirmed by the experience we have gathered at our leading global trade fairs in the fields of machinery, plants and equipment, interpack and K, that address comparable customer profiles and do very well with a similar duration.”
Dr Andreas Pleßke, Chairman of the drupa Committee and CEO of Koenig & Bauer AG, emphasises the trade fair’s importance and as a supporter of the new duration: “For Koenig & Bauer, drupa offers an unbeatable marketing format, as this year’s event has once again impressively demonstrated. We expressly welcome the new trade fair duration starting in 2028, as it will meet changing industry requirements without limiting the international scope of the trade fair. This is also demonstrated by the fact that visitors from 173 countries attended drupa, emphasizing the global appeal of the event. No other format generates such a high level of interest from the industry.”
“We comprehensively and carefully analysed the recommendations of our drupa Committee, the results of exhibitor and visitor surveys and feedback from partners and associations”, says Sabine Geldermann, Director of drupa. “Shortening the fair’s duration is a direct response to the industry’s desire for a more focused, efficient event that continues to provide international participants with a unique opportunity to discover groundbreaking innovations and technology.”
While the conceptual direction, new key visual and future claim of drupa 2028 will be presented to the industry in 2025, other important global drupa dates are Pack Print Plas Philippines in October 2024, Printpack Alger in February 2025 and the PRINT & DIGITAL CONVENTION in May 2025 in Düsseldorf.
Selected results of the exhibitor and visitor surveys and key figures, data and facts for drupa 2024 are published in the Post Show Report and at www.drupa.com
