Annual Congress

CONGRESS REGISTRATION

4 – 7 October 2026 | Postillion Hotel and Convention Centre WTC Rotterdam

Registration is now open.

For any enquiries, please contact us : petra.hardie@wan-ifra.org

A valid badge is required for entry to all DistriPress Annual Congress sessions, including social networking events.

 

PROGRAMME

Sunday, 4 October 

15h00 to 17h00 Registration open

16h30 Optional Rotterdam City Walking Tour that finishes at our Welcome Event (leaving from the Postillion Hotel)
Or
18h00 Catch our designated buses leaving from the Postillion Hotel to take us to our Welcome Event.

All aboard our Welcome Event!

18h30 – 22h30 We’re kicking off our Congress by taking to the water in the heart of global logistics.

Rotterdam’s port handles over 400 million tonnes of cargo every year, making it the perfect backdrop for an industry that thrives on moving ideas and products across borders.

On this evening, the most important “delivery” in the harbour is our global network of partners. We invite you to join us for a harbour cruise to take in the scale of European distribution first-hand as we prepare for the three-day Congress ahead.

We have more reasons to celebrate than ever, as our sponsors at Betapress are marking a landmark 50 years in the business – five decades of excellence in keeping the industry moving.

We’ll navigate the sights of the harbour before docking for an evening of networking, refreshments, and celebration. Let’s toast to old friends, new partners, and the incredible milestone of 50 years with Betapress.

 

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Monday, 5 October

08h30 Registration

FORUM 09h00  – 12h30

09h00 – 10h40

  • Welcome Address: President of DistriPress & Chairman of World Printers Forum.
  • Print and Sustainability Awards Presentation: Gundula Ullah, Chair of the Awards jury.
  • World Press Trends: Dean Roper, Director of Insights and Editor-in-Chief, WAN-IFRA.
  • The Commercial Value of Truth: Selling Trust on the News Stand: Lindley Gooden, Founder of Greenscreen.
  • Risk Intelligence to Futureproof Your Business: Dr Aarti Anhal, Founder of before nine.

10h40 – 11h00 Coffee break

11h00 – 12h30

Dive into Distribution

  • Key Note Speaker to be announced.
  • A fireside chat around the world: The Global Pulse of Distribution.  Featuring Jeffrey Koh from Allscript, and another speaker to be confirmed.
    Join market experts for a high-impact, rapid-fire session exploring the unique distribution landscapes around the world.
  • How and Why They Buy – and Why Some Stopped: Lessons from the K Group Data Pilot: Anna-Leena Raita, Lehtipiste
    The data shows that they bought a single-issue last year, but not this year. Why? And what about those who continue to buy: how and why do they make their purchasing decisions? Join us for a first look at the results from our landmark research pilot. We’ll dive into the real-world friction points preventing purchases and share a new, cost-effective framework that allows publishers to “pool” resources for high-level consumer intelligence. Get the data-backed roadmap for re-engaging your lost audience, along with practical strategies to strengthen engagement among your existing buyers.

12h30 – 14h00 Lunch (Business Meeting hall opens at 14h00)

14h00 – 18h00 Business meetings

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Tuesday, 6 October 

08h30 – 18h00 Business meetings

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Wednesday, 7 October 

08h30 – 10h00 Join us for an exclusive Breakfast Symposium designed specifically for senior management (1 representative per company) looking to navigate the evolving retail landscape.

Titled “The Space Race: Securing the Future of Magazine Retail” this session aims to tackle the industry’s most pressing challenge: ensuring magazines remain a vibrant, profitable fixture on store shelves.

We are looking for leaders to help shape this conversation. Come prepared to talk about learnings from your local market – what arguments are currently resonating with your retailers? Are there specific operational models – be it supply chain efficiencies or merchandising innovations – that are securing your footprint?

Moderator: A chairperson to moderate the session and roundtable will be announced shortly.

How to Participate

  • RSVP: Please email petra.hardie@wan-ifra.org to confirm your attendance.
  • Present: In your email, please indicate if you would like to share a brief case study or specific retailer insight.
    We look forward to seeing you there and working together to protect our space at retail.

 

08h30 – 15h00 Business meetings

 

 

 

Accommodation and car hire options in Rotterdam – click here

Restaurant recommendations : tbc

Explore Rotterdam – click here

 

Who can attend

The Congress is open to WAN-IFRA members and non-member companies.

 

Event Format

The WAN-IFRA DistriPress Congress has a strong history of connecting its members in the Business Meeting Hall as well as during social events and informal gatherings over 4 days.

For over 70 years, the annual WAN-IFRA DistriPress Congress has brought together businesses from across the globe who are engaged in the publishing, production, marketing, distribution and sales of newspapers and magazines.  Our objective is the sharing of experiences, and business development through networking.

  • Badges collection – delegates can collect their badges at the Congress main hotel 15h00-17h00 Sunday 4 October.
  • The WAN-IFRA DistriPress Forum – kicks off event proceedings on Monday morning with a half-day agenda during which delegates hear from speakers and panels about industry developments and global themes impacting members.
  • Business Meeting Hall and Expo –the central meeting hall houses the Expo stands and the Business Meeting tables.  Delegates meet clients and service providers from around the world in pre-arranged time slots, during which they discuss their mutual business and explore new opportunities. The Expo runs alongside the Business Meetings. Exhibitors are encouraged to showcase their products and services to attendees, the exhibition stands form an integral part of the Meeting Hall.
  • Business Meeting Tables – tables will be arranged for our Distributor and Service Provider members. Publisher members are welcome to attend these tables with meetings scheduled in advance.
  • Delegate List – the first list will be announced at the end of July 2026. Further updates will follow every two weeks.

Sponsors

WAN-IFRA DistriPress has a proud history of sponsorship support from its members, for which it is most appreciative.  Sponsorship allows the Association to continue to deliver a memorable annual experience for its delegates.

There are numerous ways in which member companies can showcase their brand and contribute to Congress – and it doesn’t have to break the bank!  Options include, but are not limited to –

  • Logos on Congress bags, branded Congress bag contents such as pens and notebooks, advertising on the WAN-IFRA DistriPress website, sponsorship of the Forum presentations and topics, contributions to evening events or goodie bag items.
  • All sponsor logos will be included on event signage and WAN-IFRA DistriPress event communications.

Please talk to the WAN-IFRA DistriPress management team about how you can get involved.

 

Delegate Pass Types/ Pricing

Pricing for 2026

  • Member – Earlybird 1780 euro
  • Member – full price 1995 euro
  • Non-member – Earlybird 2775 euro
  • Non-member – full price 2975 euro
  • NB The Earlybird rates will be available until 30 June 2026

 

  • Registration acceptance is subject to WAN-IFRA DistriPress’ final confirmation.
  • Each delegate pass includes full access to the Congress programme: welcome event, business forum, business meetings, farewell event and lunch throughout the Congress.
  • Congress delegate passes will no longer have local VAT added at the point of payment except for German based member companies.  At the point of registration EU companies will be requested to enter their VAT number.
  • All registrations must be paid prior to the start of the event.
  • Refund terms and conditions available at the point of registration

Please talk to the WAN-IFRA DistriPress management team for any further information.