It's really not an overstatement to say that the whole world will be getting together this spring to talk print and package converting. The place? The quadrennial Drupa 2004 trade fair in Düsseldorf, Germany, set for May 6-19.

How international is the event? More than 1,600 exhibitors from 50 different countries have registered to display their products and technologies, ranging from prepress hardware and software; printing presses and accessories to paper converting and package production systems; materials and services.

Nearly two-thirds of exhibitors will come from countries outside Germany, with the largest representation (168 exhibitors) from Italy, followed by 131 companies from the UK, 119 from the US, 80 from Switzerland, and 69 exhibitors from France.

It's also safe to say that attendees will likely come from all six inhabited continents. During Drupa's last staging in 2000, the show's turnstiles clicked over more than 428,000 times.

As if 1.7 million net sq ft of display space in 17 exhibit halls isn't enough to keep visitors busy, an ancillary program of special events and presentations is also being organized for the first time at Drupa 2004. "More than ever before, Drupa has the responsibility to impart know-how," says Manuel Mataré, project director for the show.

Among the "edutainment" events planned are the Innovations Arena—special exhibits for printing hardware and software, highlighted tours through various specialized exhibit categories, and several Compass Sessions being organized by the German Printing and Media Industries Federation.

"Drupa 2004 will be a trade fair marked by changes, encompassing entirely new production processes," says Bernd Zipper, principal with ZipCon Consulting, responsible for the ancillary program. "New technologies offer workable solutions that are capturing the market but demand greater technological savvy from users than any previous tech revolution. By combining hard facts with prepared information, we hope to inspire even more visitors to deal with the new directions in the printing industry."

The massive Düsseldorf Fairgrounds provides protected walkways, moving sidewalks and shuttle buses to help attendees get around easier. This year, Drupa 2004 also offers an easier way to get around the city. Both visitor and exhibitor entrance passes allow free use of all public transportation within Düsseldorf during the show. The passes will be good on all buses, streetcars, underground trams, urban railways, as well as the German rail services, which include the neighboring cities of Wuppertal, Krefeld, Dortmund, Bonn and Cologne.

While many Drupa attendees plan their accommodations months in advance, it's still possible to make arrangements. Contact TTI Travel, Inc., at 866/674-3476, fax: 212/674-3477.

Converting will be exhibiting in Hall 15, B06-3, along with our sister publications, Graphic Arts Monthly and the Graphic Arts Blue Books.

To help you prepare for the many package-printing and converting exhibits, check out our Drupa 2004 new technology coverage in the April 2004 issue.