The postponed drupa is launching a new online platform next month, the drupa preview, which it says will offer exhibitors and visitors an additional channel for touching base with the sector, discussing trending themes, and presenting product portfolios.
Digital preview: drupa launching online in October in lead-up to April expo
The portal will consist of three content formats – Conference, Exhibition, and Networking – in a plan to bring the global print community together. The organiser says the drupa preview enables continuous exchange of information until the hybrid trade fair in April next year, which will combine the on-site event with additional digital content.
In the Conference Area, users will find lectures, videos and interviews – providing a preview of drupa 2021. It will reflect the agenda in terms of content and the knowledge transfer that drupa stands for.
On fixed days and times, interested parties can take part in the web sessions free of charge and chat with the speakers. Afterwards the videos will be available on demand.
The Exhibition Space brings together what visitors can expect to normally see in the exhibition areas – products, innovative companies, and expert input. This means visits to the live event can already be planned at this early stage.
In addition, meetings can already be set up at the Networking Plaza. The networking options allow companies and interested parties to establish live online contact in advance, with the aim of intensifying this contact at the event in April.
Through the new digital offering, drupa says it is providing the sector with continuous exchange and knowledge transfer, and meaningfully bridges the remaining time until drupa for both visitors and exhibitors.
“We have already been working long and hard on enhancing our digital offering. The pandemic has faced us with new challenges and has ultimately been a catalyst for digitisation,” Sabine Geldermann, director drupa and Print Technologies, said.
“With the hybrid drupa we also give those visitors who are unable to travel the possibility to take part in the industry get-together. At the same time, we meet exhibitors’ needs to reach the international community personally. Via the portal the drupa platform therefore unites the global print community in a targeted manner,” Geldermann said.
The content of drupa preview is free of charge for visitors. After registration, content and videos can be accessed at any time. For web sessions, live lectures and matchmaking there will be a separate (free) registration for a specific day and time. The agenda of live sessions will follow soon.
This year’s drupa was scheduled to take place in June, then postponed to next 20-28 April when the virus struck. The Düsseldorf Messe Centre is currently hosting its first international expo since the onset of the pandemic, Caravan Salon.
Original article – Wayne Robinson www.print21.com. au
