Press release submitted on behalf of Messe Düsseldorf North America

The special area drupa next age (dna) sets the scene for newcomers and young talents from the print and packaging sector in a targeted manner. With Deborah Corn and Frank Tueckmantel, drupa has enlisted two strong partners with longstanding industry expertise for organizing and designing this show-in-show for cross-sectional technologies. 

Big ideas, small budgets – many young companies find it hard to make the right contacts and establish their exciting and forward-looking solutions on the market. For this target group, drupa has created a special platform: drupa next age (dna). Here, newcomers, young talents, start-ups and long-established companies can network on a level playing field, find matching cooperation partners and exchange innovative business ideas. For some participants, this is the opportunity to present themselves to an international professional audience for the first time ever.

“In today’s digital age, there is one thing technology can’t replace: personal communication,” explains Frank Tueckmantel, who, together with Deborah Corn, is responsible for designing the dna program. “Here’s why Face-to-Face marketing matters: no Tweet, Snap, or chat can ever replace a real human connection. Face-to-face marketing is all about visibility and trust. Moreover, in-person interaction fosters engagement. For this reason I’m honored and excited to work together with drupa on the 2024 drupa dna program, hopefully engaging with many of the attendees that will participate in the largest get together our industry has to offer.”

Participation made easy thanks to Plug-and-Play
To make participation easy, drupa focuses on a transparent stand concept with flexible modules and Plug-and-Play at drupa dna. Presentations, panel discussions and interviews on the dna Stage complement the exhibition area in Hall 7.0, providing the ideal forum for attracting  investors with new business models, product solutions and technologies. The focal themes at dna will include: Additive Manufacturing, Artificial Intelligence, Business Intelligence, New Materials, Platform Economy, Predictive Maintenance, Printed Electronics, Remote Services, New Business Models and Process Design. At present, interested companies can still register for participation at the dna Forum – and there are even several ways to get involved: as an exhibitor, sponsor or speaker.

“drupa dna is the ‘Big Bang’ for new companies, new ideas and fresh perspectives that will form and define the future of print,” confirms Deborah Corn. “Our curated program is designed to provide a global stage for global conversations focused on the technology, tools and people who are pushing the industry forward and enabling unique business opportunities for the graphic communication value chain. I encourage everyone to stop by Hall 7.0 during their time at drupa and get a head start on creating a profitable future.”

Companies interested in exhibiting or taking part as sponsors at the trend forum dna will be assisted by Benedikt Salmen from the drupa team ([email protected]). Companies interested in taking part as speakers can obtain more information from Deborah Corn ([email protected]) and Frank Tueckmantel ([email protected]).

About Deborah Corn:
Deborah Corn is the Intergalactic Ambassador to The Printerverse, providing printspiration, education and resources to print and marketing professionals around the world, helping them achieve creative and business success through their printed materials. She is the host of Podcasts from The Printerverse playing in 146 countries, producer of ProjectPeacock.TV, founder of International Print Day, Print Across America and Girl #1 at Girls Who Print – the largest independent, global organization for women in the industry. Through her website PrintMediaCentr.com, content endeavors and social channels, Deborah engages with more than 250,000 printing professionals, print buyers, marketers and students worldwide.

About Frank Tueckmantel:
Frank Tueckmantel, Ambassador of Face-To-Face Marketing, spent his entire career in the print industry. In his last role at EFI he served as the VP of Corporate Marketing. In this role he and his team oversaw all worldwide face-to-face marketing activities, like trade show and customer events activities.

About drupa:
Under the umbrella of the megatrends sustainability and digitalization, the  international print and packaging sector will meet at the drupa from May 28 May – June 7, 2024, at the fairgrounds in Düsseldorf, Germany. The world’s leading trade fair for print technologies is synonymous with inspiration, innovations, high-caliber knowledge transfer and intensive networking. This is where the international top decision-makers of the industry meet and exchange ideas on current technology trends and ground-breaking developments. For more information: www.drupa.com