Print show partnership

10 May 2007

This month we begin our official media partnership with drupa, the world's biggest print industry show - in fact, the world's biggest show, period. According to the organizer, next year's event is set to be the biggest ever. Chairman of Messe Düsseldorf Werner M Dornscheidt told me that the 2008 show (May 29-June 11) will host around 1,800 exhibitors, who will occupy the entire 170,000m2 space of the exhibition grounds. He also expects 400,000 visitors, more than half of them coming from outside Germany.

In my interview with him (see features section), he said he wanted drupa visitors “to feel as if they've participated in the Olympics of the print and media industry”. Having covered several of the previous events in my time, I know I always did feel as if I had just walked several marathons!

Anway, the countdown has begun, and in the coming months Converting Today will keep you up to date with the latest news and information on the organizer's plans for drupa 2008.

More immediately, we have another major show approaching, in the shape of CMM International. Next month's event (June 4-7) will see the US based converting and package printing expo settling into its new venue at the recently renovated Donald E Stephens Convention Centre, in Rosemont, outside Chicago.

CMM organizer Penwell says the change of venue was its response to exhibitors' request for “a more cost effective, hassle-free exhibit environment” (something we can all relate to). It claims the move to Rosemont will result in “significant savings, not the least of which will be CMM's ability to offer exhibitors lower space rental and lower labour costs”.

Participating companies are promised an average saving of 25 per cent or more on exhibiting costs, and Penwell also expects show visitors to spend less on their accomodation and transportation costs.

Here's hoping it is proved right. The Rosemont venue has definitely served Labelexpo well over the years, and the last two CMM events did not look so comfortable in the former McCormick Place setting. Converting Today will be at the show, and we are looking forward to bringing back news of a resounding success.

Aside from shows, there's certainly some good news to report this month.

UPM and SCA are both looking eastwards in undertaking major investments to expand their respective markets - read all about it on page 7. Omet and Roland have each introduced new presses; Reifenhäuser has re-organized its business to go for growth; the Nordenia Holland Putten plant has been rescued from closure - and, to cap it all, my predecessor, Pauline Covell, has rightly received a well deserved special Starpack Award for Services to the Packaging Industry.

Mike Taylor

Editor


MikeTaylor



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