Drupa 2012 director Manuel Mataré said: "We are a mirror to the industry and the industry itself needs confidence. Yes the industry needs to answer some questions and yes there are great challenges ahead, but there are also great opportunities too." 

"The industry has changed, but so has Drupa. Drupa is important in helping stabilise the industry, but also in terms of highlighting that print has a future, and predicting what shape that future might take."

He added that Manroland had already paid for its space, but stressed that the show would work closely with any new owners and that he had no concerns as there was already a waiting list for space.

He also cited as evidence of Drupa’s pivotal role in restoring confidence in the sector the high number of new exhibitors at this year’s show, such as Indigo founder Benny Landa’s new company, and the fact that the number of Chinese exhibitors alone has doubled.

"A trade show is not only a place to buy and sell: it’s a massive opportunity for visitors to research the market, to learn from others and align their businesses to opportunities of today and tomorrow".

Close to 1,700 exhibitors have signed up to the show so far, collectively  booking 165,500sqm, just 7,000sqm shy of 2008’s footprint.

Visitor registration opens next Wednesday (25 January) and for the first time visitors can purchase e-tickets and save €25 (£21) on the €65 on-the-door price.

• As part of PrintWeek’s exclusive UK media partnership with Drupa, the first 100 PrintWeek readers can get free one-day tickets to the world’s largest print show by simply ordering their ticket at www.drupa.de/2130 and entering this unique PrintWeek promotion code: 000073p3a2wb.