Grand Opening of drupa 2024 in Düsseldorf
The wait is finally over. After a hiatus of eight years, drupa – the world’s leading trade show in printing technologies – is back in Düsseldorf. The opening ceremony was held today (28 May, 2024) at 10 am in the drupa cube conference area (Hall 6), promising to be a grand affair with a record-breaking international participation.
Dr. Stephan Keller, Mayor of Düsseldorf, welcomed the huge gathering of exhibitors, trade visitors, industry stakeholders, and global media to the marquee event.
In her opening remarks, renowned economist and Chief Economic Adviser at the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) Vicky Pryce addressed the opportunities that lie ahead for markets like print and packaging with an emphasis on innovation, intellectual property, and economic growth.
Another highlight of the inaugural session was the interview with Dr. Andreas Pleßke, Chairman of the drupa committee, and CEO of Koenig & Bauer, on the relevance of global printing and packaging industry, growth potential, and market requirements.
“The stage is set,” comments Sabine Geldermann, Director drupa, Portfolio Print Technologies, Messe Düsseldorf GmbH. “Global visitors can look forward to experiencing many innovations and trends. There will be so much more to discover than in the previous years. The industry is changing just as fast as the world. We are welcoming around 1,634 exhibitors who will be presenting the latest technologies to visitors from over 150 countries.”
Munich-based presenter and voice actor Tania Higgins, who moderated the opening session, says, “drupa – it’s like the Olympics of the printing industry. The last drupa took place eight years ago and the printing world in hyped to finally get together again. It’s so big, there are even guided tours!”
Under the motto “we create the future”, the next 11 days will see 18 halls – sprawling approximately 1,40,000 sq m – burst with ground-breaking innovations and new technologies, machinery, materials, and services; feature over 300 speakers, ready to share their expertise; and have five special forums – drupa cube, drupa touchpoint sustainability, drupa touchpoint packaging, drupa next age (dna), and drupa touchpoint textile – turn into robust platforms to aid decision-making and discuss the latest opportunities.
Finally, at the end of the day, there will be several after show parties allowing visitors to get to know each other in a relaxed ambience, providing the perfect opportunity to enjoy networking with customers after intensive days on the exhibition fairgrounds. “The ‘drupa gardens’ is a green oasis combining an outdoor lounge concept with a wide array of culinary delights to escape the hustle and bustle of a busy show day, and a reference project for industrial printing applications. Adding to the atmosphere will also be the new drupa song – it has a catchy tune and lyrics that embrace the future of print,” says Geldermann.
drupa 2024 will come to a close on 7 June, 2024.
