drupa countdown - our regular column from drupa (May 6-19, 2004, Düsseldorf) argues that this is one show that must not be missed
What will the trip to Düsseldorf cost me? If you are considering visiting drupa during May 6-19, 2004, you should rather ask yourself: “What will I get out of a trip to the World Market for Print Media, Publishing & Converting?” It’s true that in difficult economic times companies need to watch every penny they spend. But they should be careful not to tighten their belts in the wrong place.
Drupa president Albrecht Bolza-Schünemann, emphasizes that, when it comes to awarding orders, clients are constantly raising the bar – particularly for printed products: “Print and other media customers today, more than ever, expect flexibility, the shortest response times, premium quality and, on top of it all, creativity in meeting their demands.” He adds: “That’s why you simply need to know what will be hailed as state of the art in tomorrow’s printing industry”.
Only at drupa with its comprehensive yet compact format, where once every four years everyone in the industry who influences or determines development gathers to exchange information, can you truly take the industry’s pulse. With some 1,800 exhibitors from all segments of the printing industry, spread across 17 halls covering more than 160,000m2, drupa 2004, like its predecessors, will completely overshadow all other events for the graphics industry.
Surely you don’t want to give your competitors the edge? So, estimate three or four nights’ accommodation, the trip there and back plus the costs of your other daily needs. You can even include the loss of income. All in all, the trip to Düsseldorf will probably set you back at the most a couple of thousand euros. Now divide that number by 1,500. Because that’s just about the number of days you’ll have to wait until drupa 2008 – the next one-stop opportunity to soak up such comprehensive information on the latest trends in the printing industry, and meet experts with visionary ideas for the future of the printing business.
So there you have it: the cost of a trip to drupa per day – spread over the next four years. Now just think what your profits per day will be if you bring back just one idea from drupa 2004 that wins you new clients, adds a new service to your range or reduces production costs. And imagine if you return with several ideas? Can you really afford to pass up this kind of opportunity to generate new business?
The first part of our Countdown to drupa preview of converting exhibitors begins in this issue. Converting Today is exhibiting at the show in hall 12, on stand D01.