The digital platform drupa preview opened on October 27 with over 1,400 exhibitors from 50 countries presenting latest products and taking part in panel discussions, live web sessions and video keynote speeches. The digital format provided a preview of the next live drupa event scheduled for April 20-28 in Düsseldorf.
 |
| (l-r) Sabine Geldermann of Messe Düsseldorf and Dr M. Heering of VDMA at drupa preview |
“The response from exhibitors and visitors following the first preview was very positive,” said Sabine Geldermann, project director print technologies at Messe Düsseldorf. “drupa preview offers a valuable basis for regular customer contacts, enabling ongoing interaction within our community during this pandemic. Its digital format helps enhance our customer communications, focusing on the industry’s future topics.
“From now on, it is our goal to create a hybrid concept, perfectly combining the best of both worlds in order to ensure the April event can take place under optimal conditions.
The proportion of international visitors at drupa preview was at 70% (top five countries: Japan, India, UK, the Netherlands and Germany).
“More than 14,000 pageviews also highlight the print community’s high level of interest in the content on offer,” drupa said. “Around 1,400 exhibitors from 50 countries presented their products, solutions and applications. The three areas “‘Exhibition Space”, “Conference Area” and “Networking Plaza” reflect drupa’s cornerstones digitally, bridging the communication needs between now and the next live event (April 20 – 28, 2021 in Düsseldorf, Germany).
“The global pandemic has been a major challenge for the printing industry for months. This makes drupa preview a key tool, offering a platform in these difficult times for companies to showcase their innovative products and reach their target audiences. For exhibitors and visitors alike, this clearly marks a new beginning.”
Erhard Wienkamp, MD Operative Trade Fair Business at Messe Düsseldorf, said: “The drupa preview also has a special significance for Messe Düsseldorf: it shows that even in times of crisis we can offer solutions to keep the industries interacting and networking. We are working intensively on strengthening global communication not only through our local events, but also by expanding new, virtual formats.”
All web sessions and videos are available on demand at https://preview.drupa.com
The next drupa preview day with live web sessions will take place on November 17.
