Drupa 2024: Your Practical Guide Packitoo
Drupa is the world's largest trade fair for the printing and packaging industries. Its name comes from the combination of the German words "druck" (print) and "papier" (paper).
Since its first edition in 1951, drupa has been held every four years in Düsseldorf. With over 260,000 visitors and 1,800 exhibitors, this event plays a crucial role in our industry.
The 2024 edition will be very special because the fair has not taken place for 8 years (since 2016) due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In this short guide, you will find all the information you need to prepare for drupa 2024.
Key Information:
Location: Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre (Messe), Am Staad (Stockumer Höfe), D-40474 Düsseldorf
Google Maps Link
Dates: May 28 to June 7, 2024
Tickets: Available online or on site. We obviously recommend that you prepare for your trade show as well as possible by buying your tickets now. A ticket for one day of visit costs €60.
Link to the official drupa ticket office
Access: The city has an excellent public transport network. If you are coming by car, free shuttle buses are available from car parks P1 & P2 at Messe Düsseldorf.
Planning your visits: To optimize your visit, plan your trips in advance and identify exhibitors of interest because the show is huge. Use the Drupa app to access an interactive map and a matchmaking service.
Download the official drupa app on iOS (iPhone)
Download the official drupa app on the Google Play Store (Android)
Transportation to get to drupa:
Plane: Düsseldorf Airport (DUS) is very convenient as it is located only 7 km from the Exhibition Centre
Train: The main stations are Hauptbahnhof (Central Station) and Heinrich-Heine-Allee, with connections to the Exhibition Centre via tram. From Paris, you can come to Düsseldorf via the Eurostar (formerly Thalys)
Public transport in Düsseldorf: You will need a ticket to travel by public transport to drupa. The entrance ticket to Messe Düsseldorf does not include free use of public transport to get to and from the event. More information on transport in Düsseldorf via the official Rheinbahn website
Accommodation:
Most hotels are booked years in advance by exhibitors and the last rooms can be very expensive.
We advise you to consider Airbnb, especially rooms in private homes. This is often the best way to find accommodation at the last minute without being too far from the show.
Another possibility is to stay further away, with good accommodation options in the cities of Duisburg and Cologne (Cologne is very well served by public transport with direct connections to the Exhibition Centre).
Practical advice:
Coming to drupa is not quite the same experience as coming to a more traditional trade show. For example, plan to wear comfortable shoes.
Does the advice seem trivial? Be aware that the show covers 160,000m2, or 16 hectares!
Please note that the equipment manufacturers and various suppliers are also not grouped by type. You will therefore sometimes have to walk through a few halls (out of the 18 that make up the show) to find two similar companies that offer the solutions you are interested in: all the more reason to plan your trips well once at the show.
Where to find Packitoo at drupa?
For this 2024 edition, we will be present on 2 partner stands for the entire duration of the show (from May 28 to June 7).
Packitoo on the BOBST stand (Hall 10 / B30-1 – B30-3)
Packitoo on the ESKO stand (Hall 8B / A12)
Drupa Anecdote | Are you familiar with the "Drupa Song"?
The "Drupa Song" is a well-known tradition among regular attendees of the trade fair. It is an unofficial song that captures the atmosphere and energy of the event. Each Drupa edition seems to inspire new lyrics or adaptations of popular songs, creating an unofficial anthem for visitors and exhibitors alike.
This song is often used to create a festive atmosphere and to reinforce the sense of community among participants. It can also serve as a rallying point and a source of entertainment during downtime between sessions and professional meetings.
The "Drupa Song" is an example of how this commercial event is much more than just an exhibition; it is also a celebration of the industry, innovation, and the dynamism of the people who make it up.
A preview of the Drupa Song 2024 below:
Drupa is much more than just a trade fair; it is a showcase of the latest innovations in the field of printing and packaging. By carefully planning your visit and making good use of your time and available resources (such as the official app), you can make the most of this must-attend event for industry professionals.