13 Helpful Tips for drupa 2012

Published: February 03, 2012

Messe dusseldorf offers this handy guide to help you navigate your trip to germany.

Getting to the Fairgrounds

1. Public transportation is recommended to get to the fairgrounds. From downtown Düsseldorf, Tram No. U78 goes to the North Entrance, Tram No. U79 to the East Entrance, and Bus No. 722 serves the East and South Entrances. From the airport, Bus No. 896 connects to all fairgrounds entrances. Drupa 2012 visitor, exhibitor, and press entrance passes allow free use of all public transportation (2nd class) on all days of the trade fair within the Rhine-Ruhr regional network (VRR) of Düsseldorf and the Rhine-Sieg (VRS) transportation network, which includes the neighboring cities of Wuppertal, Krefeld, Dortmund, Bonn, and Cologne (exhibitors also can ride free of charge two days before and after the show).

2. Taxi fares are made up of a basic flat rate plus a charge per kilometer; fares are generally higher than in the US; for tips: round up to the next full Euro amount (maximum 10%). Taxis must be boarded at taxi stands.

3. Rental cars are available from Autohansa, Avia, Europcar, Hertz, Sixt-Budget, and other companies; offices are located at the Düsseldorf airport, the main train station, and several downtown locations. On the main streets in Düsseldorf, “Messe Düsseldorf” signs show the way to the fairgrounds; parking signs will lead to one of the fairgrounds’ 12 parking lots.

At the Show

4. Drupa 2012 will take place from May 3–16, 2012 at the fairgrounds in Düsseldorf, Germany.

5. Entrance passes can be ordered in advance of the show online at www.drupa.com starting in January 2012 at reduced rates (€40 each for a 1-day eTicket, €129 each for a 4-day eTicket) or can be purchased on-site in Düsseldorf for the regular price (€65 each for a 1-day entrance pass, €220 each for a 4-day entrance pass). New: eTickets ordered online can be printed at home and will be converted into badges at the turnstiles on show site.

6. The KATI computerized catalog display system makes it easy to find the location of every exhibitor and product category; KATI terminals are located in every hall.

7. The exhibit halls are linked by protected walkways, moving sidewalks, and shuttle buses.

8. Located in the middle of the fairgrounds is a food store, hardware store, and telecommunication store, as well as a post office, bank, and travel agency.

9. Important German signs at the fairgrounds and their English translation:

• Messe—Fairgrounds
• Eingang—Entrance
• Ausgang—Exit
• Notausgang—Emergency exit
• WC—Restroom

Germany in General

10. Shops are generally open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday. Larger department stores are often open until 8 p.m. on weekdays and until 6 p.m. on Saturday. All stores are closed on Sunday.

11. Banks are generally open from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Thursdays to 5:30 p.m.); the Euro is the single currency for the European Union Nations, including Germany. The Euro comes in denominations of €5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 bills and €1 and 2, and 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cent coins.

12. Restaurants: Asking for a quick service in a non fast-food restaurant is considered impolite; water does not accompany the meal but can be ordered by the bottle; tipping: service charge is included in the bill (a small tip should be handed to the waitress/waiter directly).

13. A brochure about German business customs and practices can be ordered from Messe Düsseldorf North America free of charge.

For further information on visiting or exhibiting at drupa 2012, contact Messe Düsseldorf North America, 150 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 2920, Chicago, IL 60601; 312-781-5180; Fax: 312-781-5188; E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; Visit our web site www.mdna.com; Subscribe to our blog at http://blog.mdna.com; Follow us on twitter at http://twitter.com/mdnachicago

For hotel and travel information, contact TTI Travel Inc. at 866-674-3476; Fax: 212-674-3477; E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; www.traveltradeint.com