The event will feature three pillars "Conference Area", "Networking Plaza" and "Exhibition Space" to promote knowledge transfer and networking and to activate business. The exhibition space will reflect technologies and applications along the entire value chain of the print and packaging industry and is expected to give visitors a comprehensive overview of the product portfolios and innovations of the exhibiting companies. In addition, explanatory videos and live web Sessions provide additional details and information about the exhibited products and services.

In an interaction, Markus Heering, managing director of the VDMA Printing and Paper Technology Association had said, “Lately so many companies and organisers have been inviting online events that the overview is lost - and the response is dwindling. Often there are barely two dozen participants. It's not worth the effort for that. That speaks in favour of a platform with global reach, which, as a brand, stands for serious information and a direct line to relevant players in the market. This requirement profile is fulfilled by Virtual.Drupa.”

He added, “We also want to show that our industry is alive. Many of our machines and products are particularly important in the Corona crisis because they are required for the production of food and drug packaging or they help to disseminate important information. 

And Drupa is also alive. After months of social distancing, web meetings and home office, there is a great need for encounters, for real conversations and person-to-person contact. Right now we have to make the most of the situation. But everyone can feel that these are emergency solutions and that we want a return to the world we know. I am sure that going to trade fairs will also be part of this world in the future.”

There are 168 companies and 528 products at the show, as of now. The event partners declared so far are: Leonhard Kurz, DuPont de Nemours, EFI, Kodak, Komori, BlueCrest, CloudLab, Fujifilm, Hybrid Software, Koenig & Bauer, Mimaki, OQChemicals and Xeikon.