Drupa 2028, the world's largest trade fair for printing technology, announces a major change with the reduction of its duration to nine days, from May 9 to 17, 2028. This decision follows an in-depth analysis of the Drupa Committee's recommendations, the results of exhibitor and visitor surveys, and feedback from partners and associations. It appears that visitors, mostly from senior management, are now opting for shorter stays, making a nine-day duration more suited to the new demands of the sector.
The main challenge for Drupa 2028 will be to maintain the richness and diversity of its offering while reducing its duration. Despite this reduction, the organizers assure that the presentation of cutting-edge technologies and machines in operation, the event's strong point, will remain intact. Drupa 2024 attracted participants from 173 countries, demonstrating the international scope of the event. The concentration of visits into a shorter timeframe is seen as an opportunity to maximize the efficiency of exchanges, an aspect of particular importance to visitors from senior management.
Although Drupa 2024 attracted 170,000 visitors, below the forecast of 200,000, the quality of exchanges remained high. Almost 76% of visitors were decision-makers from the upper and middle echelons. This visitor profile reflects Drupa's importance as an essential B2B platform for professionals seeking to discover technological innovations and establish global partnerships. The shorter nine-day format aims to further focus these interactions, while allowing exhibitors to continue demonstrating the breadth of their portfolios and machinery.