This is an acknowledgement that the organiser expects few visitors. By reducing the days, Messe Düsseldorf said, it is responding to the wishes of the partner association VDMA (Printing and Paper Technology Trade Association) and many exhibitors to make the trade fair presentation more efficient and to concentrate the volume of visitors in a targeted manner.

"Since we are currently assuming that fewer visitors from overseas will be able to travel to Drupa 2021, we consider a reduction from eleven 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 a unique selling point of Drupa," explained Drupa president Claus Bolza-Schünemann.

Drupa 2021 has seen many cancellations of late, which began with Xerox and Bobst, followed by Heidelberg, Komori and Manroland Sheetfed.

The current booking status remains at what, Drupa director Sabine Geldermann, described at ‘a high level’ with over 1,500 exhibitors and a net hall space of more than 140,000 sqm, which she said, underlines the industry's confidence in the international appeal of the event and the need for face-to-face meetings, acquisition of new customers or live presentation of running machines still exist.

Geldermann added, "Many of our customers also see it as their own responsibility to strengthen the industry and provide important impulses personally on site."