With 80 percent of its exhibition space booked, drupa 2016 organisers expect the event to sell out before it opens on May 31, 2016.
Werner M Dornscheidt, chairman of the board at Messe Düsseldorf, says, “In the light of the challenging environment, this is a more than outstanding result. No other industry event worldwide – neither the small, regional niche events nor national trade shows – can offer what we can. This result clearly confirms that our strategic realignment with its focus on future-oriented and highlight topics is correct.”
Under the motto of “touch the future” drupa 2016 will focus more heavily on future-oriented technologies such as printed electronics, 3D printing, and inkjet printing with its industrial applications. Organisers say these technologies feature as market drivers, opening up opportunities and growth potential, primarily for packaging, functional, and industrial printing. According to researchers Smithers Pira, sales in the packaging print sector will rise annually by four percentage points to US$970bn by 2018.
Werner M. Dornscheidt, president of Messe Dusseldorf
The industrial and functional printing sector includes printing processes for the production of decorative and laminated surfaces, ceramics, vehicle parts, promotional items, and electronic products. It has risen annually by 13.4 per cent and, last year, achieved a volume of US$43.7bn. InfoTrends values this market at US$100bn. Dornscheidt says, “We recognised the growth potential of these markets very early on and successfully set in motion the special Pepso (Printed Electronics Products and Solutions) exhibition at drupa 2012, for example. At drupa 2016, we will cover this topic with additional events in the specialised programme and in the form of special shows, known as touch points.”
For 3D printing, drupa estimates a global market of about US$2.2bn. Dornscheidt adds, “We have therefore developed the 3D fab+print brand specifically for this market segment. At drupa, and other relevant Düsseldorf trade fairs, we are joining forces with other exhibitors in 3D printing technology and bringing greater focus to the entire topic of 3D.”
Claus Bolza-Schünemann, chairman of the drupa exhibitor advisory board and executive president of KBA, says, “In the online age there has been much discussion in our sector about the usefulness of trade shows. However, the internet simply cannot replace direct contact with people and ideas in the global print and media marketplace, or indeed direct experience of the latest technologies and solutions for this enormously varied market.
“At drupa 2016, we are again expecting lively interaction for both tried and trusted and the very latest ideas in all areas of print and cross media. The slogan “touch the future” clearly highlights the focus on innovation and new concepts. New topics such as functional printing, printed electronics or 3D printing will be reflecting the capacity for change and the need for innovative printed matter in our industry far beyond the confines of the trade show halls. KBA will certainly be there once again.”
Steven Overman, Kodak’s chief marketing officer, says, “Kodak looks forward to being at drupa 2016. drupa’s new focus on future technologies suits Kodak perfectly. It’s the ultimate venue to show our integrated print solutions to customers and partners – publishers, printers, advertisers, manufacturers, consumer electronics suppliers and other tech companies. You’ll see Kodak’s process free plates that reduce environmental impact, systems that make smart packaging more eye-catching, the world’s fastest and highest quality inkjet presses, and micro 3D printing processes to mass produce touch sensors.”
Mike Horsten, general manager marketing for Mimaki Europe, says, “drupa 2016 will be the number one show to spot trends in print and cross media solutions, so that is where Mimaki will be. Our expanded portfolio consists of a myriad of printing solutions for any print service provider. Be it large volumes, personalised printing on particular substrates or peculiar objects, Mimaki can deliver the right solution to get the job done. This diversity in our customer base challenges us to select the right show for the right audience. But drupa delivers a heterogeneous attendee crowd and offers exhibitors and visitors alike the chance to get inspired to touch and print the future – we have to be there.”
Harald Weimer, executive board member at Heidelberg, says, “drupa 2016 will be an interesting milestone for us to present our integrated offset and digital technologies with the corresponding services and consumables – in a new dimension. In line with present market requirements we will be demonstrating innovative solutions alongside our partners in Düsseldorf.”
The drupa global insights report noted how the internet and digital communication has changed print. The show will recognise big data, web-to-print, variable data printing, and internet-supported tools such as augmented reality and QR codes characterise. It will highlight multi-channel printing. Francois Martin, worldwide marketing director at HP’s graphics solutions business, says, “Communication between people is evolving just as quickly as technology. The new cross media strategy at drupa with the integration of digital and analogue printing as well as print and online will show that the printed product continues to play a key role in communications. Change in an industry requires courage and firm decisions. The realignment does exactly that and I hope that everyone realises that a new journey is beginning. The new drupa stands for effective and sustainable communication in a social, mobile and cloud-based world.”
EFI has recently become an active member of the drupa committee and a top 10 exhibitor at drupa 2016. Guy Gecht, chief executive at EFI, says, “In a world where the future quickly becomes now, drupa 2016’s realigned aim to touch the future perfectly describes what visitors would like to see. In a fast-changing world, working in an often challenging industry, customers deserve to have the opportunity to explore and compare future investment options. No other event allows for that better than drupa. The show truly reflects the direction of our industry for the four years following each show. The best way for EFI to honour drupa’s 60 plus year legacy is to make the 2016 event a world-class showcase of future technology and innovation that allows printing companies to take the lead in an ever-evolving, opportunity-filled industry.”
Another top 10 exhibitor, Konica Minolta, also offers support for this strategic realignment. Toshitaka Uemura, general manager for CP business division/sales headquarters Konica Minolta, says “With drupa’s strategic realignment and particular focus on print & cross media solutions, package printing and highlighting the industry’s innovative strength, Konica Minolta is the perfect match for drupa 2016: We are constantly delivering new business opportunities by virtue of our deep understanding of the production printing market and our customers’ needs combined with our high-end technology. It is the right time for innovative approaches and optimized workflows for a successful future for the commercial printing and graphic arts industry and we are well positioned to prepare our customers’ businesses for the new digital era.”
Ila Bialystok, vice president of marketing, Landa Digital Printing, says, “drupa plays an important role in the printing industry’s evolution into a 21st century communications medium. Our choice of drupa 2012 as the launch platform for Landa Nanographic Printing was the start of an incredible journey, both for us and for the industry. We expect that drupa 2016, at which we will almost double our stand space to some 2600sqm, will be another historic milestone on the road to the digitization of the printing industry.”
After analysing all the registrations, drupa organisers will structure the 19 trade fair halls according to the individual industry areas and topics starting at the end of 2014. The specialised programme – such as the drupa innovation park, the drupa cube or the touch points theme parks – will be designed accordingly. The exhibitor admission process will begin in September 2015. An initial exhibitor list will also published online in September 2015.
