80% exhibition space booked for Drupa 2016 with future technology focus

"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 the 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,” said Werner M Dornscheidt, chairman of the board at Messe Düsseldorf.

With the theme of "touch the future",  Drupa 2016 will focus heavily on future-oriented technologies such as printed electronics, 3D printing and inkjet printing with its industrial applications.

"We have developed the "3D fab+print" brand specifically for the growing 3D market segment,” said Dornscheidt.

“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," he added.

The 2016 mega show is expected to have well established international global players and market leaders alongside upcoming and innovative companies from around the world.

KBA president Claus Bolza-Schünemann, who is also the chairman of the Drupa exhibitor advisory board, acknowledged there had been much discussion about the usefulness and future for trade shows in a digital age, he said, “The internet simply cannot replace direct contact with people and ideas or indeed direct experience of the latest technologies and solutions for this enormously varied market.”

EFI, a company that has also very recently become an active member of the Drupa committee and a top ten exhibitor at Drupa 2016, also believes that Drupa is taking the right path.

"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,” said Guy Gecht, CEO of EFI.

Landa Digital Printing, which was the highest-profile exhibitor at Drupa 2012, where it launched its Nanographic inkjet printing concept, intends to almost double its exhibition space to circa 2,600sqm.

Ila Bialystok, the firm’s vice-president of marketing, said Drupa 2016 would be “another historic milestone on the road to the digitisation of the printing industry.”

The exhibitor admission process is expected to begin in September 2015 and an initial exhibitor list will be published online at the same time.