Messe Düsseldorf’s virtual.drupa opens today, with webinars, an “exhibition space” and provision for networking.

All the things you might have made the journey to Germany for, without the journey, perhaps. We’re not sure how they’re going to virtualise the steins of lager in the Altstadt though.

Several key newspaper segment vendors are taking part, with showings including some new product releases.

The online event for the print industry runs to April 23… much briefer than the traditional live event, so don’t blink.

• Update: DRUPA says about 17,000 registered visitors from 155 nations made use of the 660 minutes of topics in the conference area and 930 minutes of live web sessions and networking with the 212 exhibitors from 45 countries; some 7,500 visitors took part in the conference programme.

The day was opened by DRUPA president Claus Bolza-Schünemann with a keynote by Wall Street Journal author and innovation partner Michael Gale.

Those in other time zones unable to follow presentations live can now access the sessions on demand. To register for at virtual.drupa go to https://virtual.drupa.com/en/Registration

• A Conference area offers live streams presenting top-level international speakers on a variety of topics, while the Exhibition Space will also have live web sessions and presentations of vendor innovations and products. Included in the Networking Plaza are facilities for business leads, networking and “matchmaking” for visitors and exhibitors worldwide.

Check out manroland goss graphic systems, whose chief executive Franz Kriechbaum and newspaper product manager Wolfgang Hiesinger are among speakers. Their focus – April 23 at 11:40am (German time) will be the Maintellisense predictive maintenance platform includes a contribution from the group’s Alexander Sailer.

Two mailroom specialists are among those taking part: Ferag, the focus will be high-speed newspaper conveying systems and compensating stackers, while Müller Martini has five new machines to introduce for serious binding applications. They are the Sigma Line III digital book block solution, Alegro and Publica Pro perfect binders, Ventura MC 160 sewing machine and Diamant MC digital bookline.

German press manufacturer Koenig & Bauer will focus on newspaper production, highlighting new installations, relocations and enhancement projects. Featured coldset equipment includes the waterless Cortina, compact Commander CT, and automated Commander CL. 

The focus is on process-free plates at both Kodak and Fujifilm.

Fujifilm’s offering is Superia ZX, a processless thermal CTP plate for which improvements in printability are claimed.

At Kodak, attention is on the “next-generation” process-free Sonora Xtra.

On the inkjet printing front, Kodak will showcasing the Prosper Ultra 520 digital press, based on Ultrastream inkjet technology. The company will also feature its Prinergy managed business software portfolio, and Magnus Q800 platesetter.

Register and join virtual.drupa here.

Pictured: Wolfgang Hiesinger and Franz Kriechbaum