The show organiser said it was adjusting to the changing needs and expectations of exhibitors and visitors and reflecting the continued transformation of the industry.

“The printing and packaging industry is undergoing a dynamic transformation that requires industry events to evolve as well. This also applies to Drupa, which once again demonstrated its importance and relevance as a leading global trade fair in 2024 and provided pioneering inspiration,” Messe Düsseldorf stated.

The next event will be held at the Messe Düsseldorf venue in the German city from 9 to 17 May 2028.

Wolfram Diener, chairman and CEO of Messe Düsseldorf, said: “Drupa 2024 was more international than ever, and the positive atmosphere throughout the halls reflected our industry’s determination to drive profound change in order to make the printing and packaging industry more sustainable through automation, artificial intelligence and strategic partnerships.

“And these are exactly the kind of important goals that will continue to require a reliable platform such as Drupa in future.

“What was also apparent, however, was that, as a B2B trade fair with a very high proportion of decision-makers from all over the world, the length of stays at Drupa has become shorter. That’s why we want to facilitate trade fair visits with maximum efficiency.”

76% of visitors to this year’s show were part of top and middle management.

“We believe that this adjustment is also confirmed by the experience we have gathered at our leading global trade fairs in the fields of machinery, plants and equipment, Interpack and K, that address comparable customer profiles and do very well with a similar duration.”

Dr Andreas Pleßke, chairman of the Drupa committee and CEO of Koenig & Bauer, also commented: “For Koenig & Bauer, Drupa offers an unbeatable marketing format, as this year’s event has once again impressively demonstrated.

“We expressly welcome the new trade fair duration starting in 2028, as it will meet changing industry requirements without limiting the international scope of the trade fair. This is also demonstrated by the fact that visitors from 173 countries attended Drupa, emphasising the global appeal of the event. No other format generates such a high level of interest from the industry.”

Sabine Geldermann, director of Drupa, added: “We comprehensively and carefully analysed the recommendations of our Drupa committee, the results of exhibitor and visitor surveys and feedback from partners and associations.

“Shortening the fair’s duration is a direct response to the industry’s desire for a more focused, efficient event that continues to provide international participants with a unique opportunity to discover groundbreaking innovations and technology.”

Drupa said “the conceptual direction, new key visual and future claim of Drupa 2028” will be presented to the industry in 2025.

This year’s Drupa, held from 28 May to 7 June for its first in-person exhibition since 2016 due to Covid disruptions, attracted 170,000 trade visitors – lower than the show organiser’s pre-show hopes of hitting the 200,000 mark.

Running under the tagline ‘we create the future’, 1,643 exhibitors from 52 nations attended.