"It’s too early to predict what title will be bestowed on Drupa 2012," he asserts. "What I do think, though, is that rather than one single technology or one single element, the thing to come out of Drupa 2012 will be the message of different technologies working together for the best possible print outcome."

He adds that speaking in terms of technology is also a little outdated, as print shows and the print offerings of manufacturers are now as much about business as about technology. Manufacturers are going into Drupa heavily promoting their respective business programmes, while also talking much more about practical commercial applications of kit, rather than just the kit itself.

So if not the ‘B2 Drupa’, perhaps this will be the ‘practical Drupa’ –in the sense of technologies working together for the greater good, and in the way that the practical application of kit is more important than ever.

Exhibitors certainly seem to have been practical with R&D budgets; reduced spends have not led to the anticipated absence of inventiveness.

In pre-press, visitors can expect to be taken into a whole new dimension as a focus on ‘the cloud’ appears to be defining the sector – though as our preview pointed out last month, picking and choosing when to use that technology is crucial if you’re to make the most of it. Elsewhere, there are new CTP launches from the likes of Kodak, Agfa and Basyprint; plate launches from companies including Esko, Fujifilm and Presstek; and a wide range of software upgrades and new launches. Of the latter, Chilli Publish is attracting a lot of attention with its ‘InDesign in the cloud’ product, while Heidelberg’s Prinect Business Manager and the PantoneLive platform are both generating column inches.

In presses, as we have discussed, it appears B2 digital is set to grab the headlines. However, there is much more to talk about. For example, there’s the return of Benny Landa; a real surge into packaging solutions; and the various practical (that word again) link-ups between litho and digital manufacturers. Partnerships particularly catching the eye are those of Timsons and Kodak, KBA and RR Donnelley and Konica Minolta and Komori. Over in wide-format, the continued evolution of latex solutions and a renewed focus on the pres-press and post-press elements of print are making headlines.

Into post-press, and here it really is about the hand following the eye: post-press manufacturers striving to create machines that match what the press manufacturers are producing. This means more automation, more inline options, and an ability to cope with digital’s increasing speed.  Innovations on show include the Digimaster series from Morgana, new cutting equipment from Zünd and Kongsberg, a new feeder from Horizon and a new UV-spot laminator from Autobond.

As Mataré says, though, alongside all these technological advances are a raft of environment and business ideas, alongside conferences and talks taking place all over the Messe halls. The Drupa Cube in particular is looking to be a must-attend.

But what about those currently undecided about whether Drupa will be a worth an attendance altogether?

"For their business, for their technology and for their future – Drupa is a must," says Mataré. "Also, this is a once-every-four-years occurrence. Miss it this time around and you have to wait four years until you get the chance again."

 The point behind those reasons is really that you now get out of the industry what you are willing to put in. Keeping abreast of what is happening, what is available and what direction the future holds when it comes to print is essential for the success of any print business, big or small. And to be able to get all that for the price of an air fare and a day ticket seems reasonable.

CITY GUIDE

Click here to see PrintWeek's Drupa map

Düsseldorf is Germany’s seventh-largest city and the home of many of the country’s financial behemoths and fashionistas. It also spawned 1980s electronic maestros Kraftwerk. What you’ll be really interested to learn about though, no doubt, is the beer and the food; with your days spent wandering the halls of Drupa, you will be building up quite the appetite, along with a roaring thirst.

If you like beer, you are in luck. Düsseldorf is the home to Altbier and much of it is still brewed within the city, with several of the bars even having on-site brewing facilities. Being a cosmopolitan city, it also offers cuisine from every nook and cranny of the world, but is particularly known for good Japanese food, thanks to a large Japanese population. If you want something more refined from your evenings than a few local brews, the opera house and concert halls have live music on throughout the two-week period. 

If you get to take a day of leisure at the show, there is plenty to occupy you as Düsseldorf is a hive of cultural activity. There are museums aplenty and a particularly vibrant modern art scene to enjoy, along with more mass market enjoyments such as aquariums and the colossal Rhine Tower with its viewing platforms.

The following guide should give you all the information you need to enjoy your stay for how ever long you spend in the city. It begins with some language tools to get you around, and then overleaf you have a comprehensive map explaining where you can find everything you need. Enjoy!

Old Town (Altstadt)
Known as the ‘longest bar in the world’, Düsseldorf’s ancient heart boasts an impressive 300 bars and discos, and with restaurants thrown in too, the lanes of the old district will undoubtedly be the nightly social hub for show-goers. Be sure to sample the local brew Altbier.

Rheinuferpromenade
This promenade includes restaurants, bars and cafes and the clean air of a river walk. You can even get on the river yourself, as there are river cruises on offer. This is where the natives come to walk, jog, roller-blade and relax. The perfect place for a post-Drupa warm-down.

Hofgarten
Düsseldorf’s central park is a tranquil retreat from the bustle of the city and has plenty to offer the print weary traveller in need of some peace and quiet. Meadows, lawns, courtyards, sculptures and monuments make this the perfect chill-out zone if you need a break from the show.

Tonhalle Concert Hall
More than 350 concerts and more than 300,000 spectators per year make this self-styled ‘Music Planetarium’ the cultural centre of the city. Built in 1926 as a planetarium, it was converted into a music venue in the 1970s and the result is one of the most stunning concert halls in the world. There are shows on nearly every night, so there is plenty of opportunity to go. But beware – it doesn’t come cheap, as prices can top €100 per seat.

Königsallee
Düsseldorf’s main shopping street is a constant hive of activity. The area is noted for the landscaped canal that runs along its centre and luxury retail stores located along its sides, as well as its famous fashion showrooms. All the usual stores are here, along with some lesser-known ones. If you’re feeling a little self-conscious when asking for directions, pretend to be in the know by referring to the area as ‘Ko’ – that’s what many of the locals call it.

Rhine Tower (Rheinturm) and Media City
The Rheinturm is a 2,405m high concrete telecommunications tower that took two years to build and opened in 1981. The tallest building in Düsseldorf, it houses a rotating restaurant and a viewing deck. It is also situated next to the Media Harbour area of the city, a residential and business redevelopment of the old Düsseldorf harbour. You’ll find plenty of modern architecture and countless bars, restaurants and cafes here.

Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen
Düsseldorf’s conjoined modern art museums K20 and K21 have earned plaudits with engaging and challenging exhibitions. If you’re at Drupa for the first Wednesday, the museum opens until 10pm; for the rest of the show, it shuts at 6pm. Could be a nice lunchtime diversion for art fans, then. 

Deutsche Oper am Rhein
For those with an ear on the higher end of the cultural register, there is the Düsseldorf Opera House, which will be staging several operas during the show period. Puccini’s Madam Butterfly and Benjamin Britten’s The Turn of the Screw are the highlights of a packed roster and tickets range from €16.80-€75.10.

St Lambertus Church
If you are a Drupa-goer keen to enjoy some of the historical sights of the city when not perusing the offerings on the stands, there’s little more ancient than St Lambertus Church. The building’s foundations are believed to date as far back as 1380 and the church is widely renowned and admired for its impressively lofty spire.

SPECIAL AREAS

Drupa Innovation Park (DIP), Hall 7
The DIP once again makes its appearance as the focus for innovations that will drive digital media production in the future. This is where both young start-ups and industry giants can show their trend-setting ideas within topic areas including the Print Automation Park, the Asset Management Park and the Dynamic Publishing Park.

Drupa Cube, Hall 7a
From social media through mobile marketing up to print – the Drupa Cube sets out to provide tips and trends to discover and enable what media convergence looks like today. Situated in Hall 7a, the cube aims to show heads of marketing and publishing houses, manufacturing experts and creative arts directors what print has to offer in the cross-media marketing world.

Media Mundo, Hall 9
This area of the show aims to ensure the "harmonious and professional integration of sustainability into the Drupa trade fair concept". Touchscreens will enable topic areas to be researched individually and in great detail. A total of six focal topics will be tackled on two days each, as part of three to five organized events. The presentations will last 20 minutes maximum and the audience will have plenty of time to ask any questions. All talks will also be recorded and streamed online.

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

When May 3 - 16, 2012
Where Messe Düsseldorf, Germany
Opening times Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm; Saturday and Sunday 10am to 5pm
Admission fees One-day ticket eTicket: €40; box office: €65
Four-day ticket eTicket €129; box office: €220
Reduced one-day ticket eTicket €15; box office: €25

All tickets include free transport to and from the trade fair on buses, trams and trains (2nd class, supplement-free trains only) within the area of the Regional Transport Networks Rhine-Ruhr (VRR) and Rhine-Sieg (VRS)

USEFUL PHRASES

Do you speak English? Sprechen Sie English?
Yes Ja
No Nein
Please Bitte
Thank you Danke
I don’t understand you Ich verstehe sie nicht
I only understand a little Ich verstehe nur Wenig
Can you help me please? Können Sie mir bitte helfen?
What time is it? Wieviel Uhr ist es?
Excuse me/sorry Entschuldigung
Pardon? Wie bitte?
How much is it? Wieviel kostet es
Good morning Guten Morgen
Hello Guten Tag
Goodbye Auf Wiedersehen
Good evening Geten Abend
How are things? Wie geht’s?
Is there a good restaurant around here? Wo gibt es hier eingutes Restaurant?
Is there a cosy pub nearby? Gibt es hier eine gemütliche Kneipe?
The menu please? Die speisekarte, bitte
Do you have a vegetarian menu? Haben sie ein vegetarisches menü?
The bill please Bezahlen, bitte
I’d like something to drink Ich möchte gern etwas trinken
Cheers! Prost!
It tasted delicious Es Schmeckte sehr gut
Which way to the station? Wo geht es zum Hauptbahnhof?
Taxi please Ein Taxi bitte
What can you recommend? Was können Si emir empfehlen?
Do you have a business card? Haben Sie eine Visitenkarte?
Can you tell me the way to Drupa? Können Sie mir den Weg zur Drupa erklären

DÜSSELDORF HIGHLIGHTS

Where to stay

Hyatt Regency Düsseldorf Speditionstrasse 19, 40221 Dusseldorf http://dusseldorf.regency.hyatt.com

Kastens Hotel Juergensplatz 52,  Unterbilk, 40219 Dusseldor www.kastens-hotel.de

Carat Hotel Benrather Str. 7a, 40213 Düsseldorf www.carat-hotel-duesseldorf.de

Hotel Orangerie Backergasse 1, Altstadt, 40213 Düsseldorf http://www.hotel-orangerie-mcs.de

Breidenbacher Hof Konigsallee 11, 40212 Düsseldorf www.capellahotels.com/dusseldorf

Check out our Drupa highlights stand-by-stand here