Editor’s note: Drupa 2008 promises to feature a host of emerging technologies that will force newspaper production managers to reassess their current modes of operation. Here, a preview of one of drupa’s most popular attractions, innovation parc.

Special to N&T

The hottest venue at drupa 2008 will likely be the drupa innovation parc. This state-of-the-art exhibition space, totalling nearly 36,000 square feet, will be a showcase for around 160 exhibitors. The defining tools of tomorrow will be presented and only the most innovative solutions in the print and media industry will be demonstrated.

DIP, presented by Hewlett Packard, features eight different themed sections. It is particularly well suited for start-up companies and smaller-sized firms as an ideal venue to highlight their cutting-edge developments. Established companies will also have a strong presence but there is an important prerequisite: they must be future-oriented and global. The products in this exhibition space will cover the gamut of print solutions, from Web-to-print applications and workflow systems to creative image retouching.

“The basic idea is to give smaller firms in particular a strong jump start,” said Manuel Mataré, drupa project manager. “For the first time, many smaller, but nevertheless innovative, companies will have the opportunity to be represented at drupa. In the future, their software innovations may be hugely important for the entire industry.”

The exhibitors will be profiled according to their core business and organized into separate themed sections.

Seven of these themed parcs will be located on the ground floor. Hall 7.1 will house the JDF Experience Parc and is organized in collaboration with CIP4.

Other parcs:

•The Print Buyer Integration Parc, powered by iClue, will present solutions for Web-to-print, print-on-demand, campaign planning tools and online catalog creation, as well as tracking and production integration systems.

•The Creative Production Parc will showcase the advent of Web 2.0 applications, including computer-generated imaging, professional illustration and modern typography.

•The Document Management Parc, powered by Compart, will preview new solutions for professional document management, output for transaction printing and conversion solutions.

•The PDF + XML Production Parc, powered by Global Graphics Software, will cover PDF and XML software.

•The Digital Picture Parc, in coordination with the ADF photographers’ work group, will focus on professional and creative photography, digital camera applications and photo printing systems.

•The Online Communication Parc will demonstrate digital services, online products and file transfer services.

•The Print + Publishing Parc, powered by Agfa, will cover desktop publishing tools, workflow and editing systems, color management and proofing solutions.

To help attendees make their way through the various parcs, drupa this year is launching a new service that will enable registrants to get a guided tour through the exhibits.

This special tour is designed to give visitors a strategic overview of who’s who in the exhibition area. This will help exhibition visitors get the information they need.

Visitors will also benefit from a wide selection of discussions, shows and presentations. Depending on the speaker, these shows and presentations may be in German or in English.

“Short and snappy presentations will be constantly running on the main stage to provide an overview of the innovations to be found in the DIP, and the stage in the JDF Parc will be used for holding seminars,” said Bernd Zipper, DIP coordinator. “We will also produce a daily newsletter for DIP visitors and organize the visitor tour.”