drupa might be exhausting – particularly if you attend for the entire time – but after eight years, this year’s show reinforced the reasons it is the must-visit show for those wanting to stay on top of industry trends.
In the intervening years so much in the industry has changed: sustainability has become an integral strategy to every aspect of business and the global print industry’s key driver; digital printing is outpacing conventional printing in many sectors; the rising demand for short-run, high-value, fast-turnaround flexible packaging; more collaboration in the industry with manufacturers joining forces in collaborations that can only improve the industry’s performance and benefit the end user.
drupa addresses the need for an international playing field where members of the world’s printing, packaging and graphics fraternity can see the latest innovations and trends in one place, increase their knowledge and meaningfully compare one system against another in their search for the right solution.
However, the show is not just about seeing the latest and most innovative printing technologies and equipment. It’s a time for people to reconnect with industry experts and the teams behind the machines, meet new entrants to establish relationships, mingle with industry colleagues to exchange ideas, and of course, renew friendships over a beer or a bratwurst in the Altstadt.
The dates for drupa 2028 have yet to be announced. Even though the number of exhibitors and visitors through the turnstiles this year was fewer than in 2016, the uplifting response from exhibitors and visitors alike points to renewed interest from all sectors of the industry in the next iteration of the show.
In the meantime, we hope you have enjoyed the Labels Plus coverage of drupa 2024 over the last five weeks in our bi-weekly newsletters. Robyn Frampton and Sarah Moore were our ‘boots on the ground’ and did an admirable job in reporting from the show.
You will find further coverage in the August issue of Labels Plus with over half the magazine devoted to drupa and the new technologies on display. Hopefully for those of you who did not attend, this will give you an insight into the trends and solutions that can aid your business in the future.
You can still experience the drupa vibe at DRUPA DOWN UNDER events being held in Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne during July. Konica Minolta will unveil the future of printing technology, explore groundbreaking innovations and delve into the strategic knowledge poised to reshape the Australian printing landscape – all while enjoying some German bier, pretzels, bratwurst and schnitzel!
Register NOW to secure your ticket and be part of Drupa Down Under powered by EPS
Caption:
Robyn Frampton (left) and Sarah Moore at drupa 2024