Drupa retains four year cycle and reduces duration

Following a meeting of the Drupa organising committee, the flagship print event will continue to be held in Dusseldorf every 4 years with a reduction in the shows duration to 11 days from the current 14 day span.

Many manufacturers, distributors and other international print show organisers will breathe a sigh of relief that the proposed move to a three year cycle, mooted recently by outgoing director, Manuel Matare, has not come to pass.

 
Werner Matthias Dornscheidt, CEO at Messe Düsseldorf. Commented on the decision.

“The visitor structure at Drupa has changed. While in the past large groups travelled to the fair – preferably at the weekend – Drupa is now increasingly developing into a  B2B fair, at this year’s Drupa 78% of the international visitors and 52% of German visitors came from top management. This makes running over two weekends unnecessary. With eleven days, i.e. one weekend and nine working days, we perfectly cater to the needs of both supply and demand.”

The same committee meeting also approved the appointment of KBA chief executive Claus Bolza-Schünemann as chairman of Drupa 2016. Mr. Schünemann said of his appointment:
"I am delighted to assume the presidency at such an exciting time. Our sector is developing at a rapid pace and Drupa 2016 will represent a key milestone on the path into the future,"