Discussion

By Gordon Griffiths on Mar 18, 2024

After 60 years in print, I have never been to Drupa. It was like you were not a real print person if
you missed a Drupa trip. I missed them all and survived. It seemed there was always someone who wanted to go more than me so I always said, “Be my guest, but come back prepared to present your findings and explain how this can improve our operations.”

The Drupa trip can change a company’s fortune if done right. I asked the people I sent to do a search plan in advance to outline their priorities.

No doubt there is great value in tradeshows and connecting with printers from around the world. This year I’m still recovering from ankle surgery so not even running shoes could help.

By Pete Basiliere on Mar 19, 2024

I've been to several drupas over the years and actually paid my own way the first time because my boss wouldn't. I stayed in someone's home, and this was years and years before Airbnb when the city organized homestays for all the large shows.

My advice is to look for the new stuff, and not just from the vendors you know.

Sure, visit the vendors whose equipment you use (heck, they often pick up dinners or have refreshing, warm German beers in the booth); indeed, make appointments to see them (do it now because their US salesforce may not be at drupa, so having an introduction is best).

Check out the vendors whose hardware/software you don't own/lease because you ended up with a different supplier to see what is new with them.

The most important and valuable approach is to look for vendors you will not see in your home country's trade shows. Those vendors, especially ones in small booths, will give you ideas about how the technology is evolving and alternative solutions to the problems you have at the shop.

And do get down to the old city. For people like me from the northeast, the weather in Dusseldorf is weeks ahead of home.

By Chuck Werninger on Mar 19, 2024

My name is Chuck and I love print and I love printing trade shows, maybe even more than Warren Werbitt! Seriously, I've been to nearly all of the major shows like Graph Expo, Print, Southwest Graphics and most of the specialty shows, too. I really miss annual pilgrimages to Chicago in the Fall but am really enjoying the round-robin venues of Printing United these days. Many of those trips to printing shows were paid work trips but several were personal "vacations" where I invested in my career growth and learned things which simply can't be learned in the office. The old saying that you can't work ON your business if you're working IN your business is absolutely true. I learn more about my business while working on it from many miles away, surrounded by others who are doing the same thing.

Traveling to print shows, I've been able to meet most of the brightest minds in our industry and have made connections who sell, market and represent the hardware, software and services that make our industry so vibrant. The journalists are there gathering intelligence for future work, manufacturers are seeing what's resonating with buyers and leaders are emerging with new ideas...the air in a print show is intoxicating and I love it!

Unfortunately, drupa, the Olympics of the printing industry, has eluded me for more than 30 years. Because the time change and cost of airfare, it's hard to justify a quick trip and because of the cost of housing and meals, it's hard to make a long one. Working in local government these days, it's hard to justify an international trip...but I would LOVE to make it to drupa someday.