‘The character of drupa in 2021 will certainly be different from what we are used to,’ according to event director Sabine Geldermann, as the international trade fair responds to the shifting sands beneath its feet.
This has seen a number of exhibitors withdraw their participation at a drupa in 2021, including Heidelberg, Bobst and Komori, with a growing trend towards virtual and more regional representation in the current climate brought about and accelerated by the global coronavirus pandemic.
drupa and its organising body, Messe Düsseldorf, have now taken the decision to bring the next instalment down in the number of days its doors are open, from an 11-day event to nine days.
drupa president Claus Bolza-Schünemann explained, ‘Since we are currently assuming that fewer visitors from overseas will be able to travel to drupa 2021, we consider a reduction from 11 to nine days to be sensible in order to direct visitor flows more efficiently. At the same time, the duration of nine days ensures that running machines can still be shown, which is a unique selling point of drupa.’
drupa director Sabine Geldermann added, ‘The character of drupa in 2021, due to the pandemic and hygiene regulations, will certainly be different from what we are used to, but it will continue to make a very important contribution to the economic recovery.’
