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Photokina 2019 cancelled, exhibition will be in 2020 only
  • Vitaliy_KiselevVitaliy_Kiselev

    PR

    The next photokina will take place in May 2020

    Imaging industry and Koelnmesse decide on new starting point for the new annual cycle

    Following a successful photokina 2018, the German Photo Industry Association (PIV), as conceptual sponsor of the trade fair, and the event's organiser Koelnmesse have agreed not to organise the next leading global trade fair in May 2019, as initially planned, but in May 2020. From Wednesday 27 May 2020 to Saturday 30 May 2020, all the market leaders in the imaging industry are expected once again in Cologne. The decision to postpone the start of the announced annual cycle by one year is intended to give all participants the opportunity to further develop the new concept for photokina and to tap into new target groups among exhibitors and visitors in order to heighten the status of the trade fair as a global platform for the photography and imaging industry. "photokina 2018 clearly exceeded our already optimistic expectations with groundbreaking innovations and 180,000 visitors from 127 countries," explained PIV's CEO Rainer Führes. "As a result, we set the bar very high for the next event. It is therefore unlikely that, in May 2019 after just over seven months, we will once again be able to create the same enthusiastic atmosphere that characterised photokina 2018. This is why we have decided to start the planned annual cycle in 2020. The Photoindustrie-Verband would like to thank Koelnmesse for its willingness to quickly comply with this request. This shows once again the great professionalism and excellent customer orientation that has characterised our trusting partnership for decades now."

    "We understand that even the most powerful technology companies cannot ensure that they will once again be able to bring such innovative strength to the exhibition halls as we experienced at photokina 2018 within an extremely short lead time of just seven months," added Koelnmesse's CEO Gerald Böse. "It is precisely these innovations, however, that shape the character of photokina as the world's leading trade fair - as does the presence of all the leading suppliers in the industry as well as important users, retailers and service providers worldwide. In order to make sure we can continue to fulfil this requirement in the future and meet the expectations of exhibitors and visitors with every event, we have responded flexibly to PIV's wishes. This will ensure the continued unique impact and public appeal of one of our flagship trade fairs in the future."

    This year, photokina had successfully presented itself with a new concept, which included the increased involvement of new exhibitors from innovative areas such as mobile, imaging analytics, digital workflow and moving images, as well as a stronger focus on experience for visitors. This combination of experience and product presentation, which was very well received by younger target groups in particular, ensured full halls, overcrowded workshops and spectacular presentations on the event areas, in front of which large crowds of people repeatedly formed, despite the trade fair being shortened by two days. As a result, the trade fair was mentioned not only in conventional media but also in digital and social channels such as Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter to a greater extent than in previous years. The newly created Imaging Lab, in which start-ups, investors and scientists presented and discussed new imaging applications, also proved to be an important impetus for the entire industry. Together with numerous groundbreaking innovations from established imaging companies, this resulted in a showcase of the great dynamism with which the imaging industry is positioning itself for the digital future and which will also shape photokina 2020.

  • 6 Replies sorted by
  • Vitaliy_KiselevVitaliy_Kiselev

    Fun continue

    We look forward to strong demand and applications from both the new and the classic segments of companies like Canon, CEWE, GoPro, Sony, Panasonic, Kodak Alaris, Sigma, Tamron, Carl Zeiss, Hasselblad, Hahnemühle, Arri, Rode Mikrophones, DJI and Insta360”, says Christoph Werner, Vice President of Koelnmesse. These are contrasted by cancellations, including from Leica, Nikon and Olympus

  • Vitaliy_KiselevVitaliy_Kiselev

    Full PR

    The imaging industry is currently undergoing massive changes, which also have an impact on photokina as the industry's leading trade fair - and this in a dimension never seen before. While on the one hand the classic camera market reports strongly declining sales and turnover figures, the enjoyment of photography continues to grow - with a positive effect on the demand for pictures. The industry also expects additional impetus from the consistent further development of innovative segments such as mobile, motion and digital imaging at the upcoming event from 27 to 30 May 2020. "photokina represents a unique opportunity to show the world that the themes of photo, video and imaging have not become less relevant", according to Gerald Böse, President and Chief Executive Officer of Koelnmesse GmbH. "We are relying on the major players of the industry to make the greatest possible use of this opportunity."

    Already in 2016, Koelnmesse, together with the photo industry association (PIV), derived consequences from the declining development of the market and reacted with a fundamental conceptual adjustment and high levels of investment in new exhibitor and visitor segments. These aim at inspiring the mobile, motion and digital imaging segments, as well as young target groups for photokina and thus at ensuring the continued existence of the world's leading trade fair for imaging. Accompanying the opening for further segments, an annual cycle and the rescheduling of the dates to May were decided, in order to make photokina even more attractive for new participants.

    Already with the last photokina, important new exhibitors could be won with this conceptual adjustment. The share of younger visitors has also increased consistently over the last two events. The attention for photokina remains great, as does the sense of anticipation for photokina 2020 of many visitors and exhibitors. "We look forward to strong demand and applications from both the new and the classic segments of companies like Canon, CEWE, GoPro, Sony, Panasonic, Kodak Alaris, Sigma, Tamron, Carl Zeiss, Hasselblad, Hahnemühle, Arri, Rode Mikrophones, DJI and Insta360", says Christoph Werner, Vice President of Koelnmesse. These are contrasted by cancellations, including from Leica, Nikon and Olympus.

    This new situation changes nothing for the event planning for photokina 2020, which is already proceeding at full speed. Concrete discussions are taking place concerning a new experience area for photography, the acquisition of outstanding speakers for the stages is well underway, and specific concepts for start-ups, traders and professionals are being worked on. Christoph Werner is certain of also being able to present visitors with a fantastic trade fair experience in 2020: "We of course regret these cancellations, but they change nothing for the overall experience of photokina. The unique mixture of product presentation, networking, experience and continuing training have been making photokina a very special international event for many decades."

    Koelnmesse – Global Competence in Digital Media, Entertainment and Mobility: Koelnmesse is an international leader in organising trade fairs in the Digital Media, Entertainment and Mobility segments. Trade fairs like photokina, DMEXCO, gamescom, gamescom asia, INTERMOT and THE TIRE COLOGNE are established as leading international trade fairs. Koelnmesse not only organises trade fairs in these areas in Cologne, but also in other growth markets like, for example, China, Singapore and Thailand, which have different areas of focus and content. These global activities offer customers of Koelnmesse tailor-made events in different markets, which guarantee sustainable and international business.

  • IronFilmIronFilm

    A sign of the declining photography market :-/

  • EspenBEspenB

    Things was better when IFA and Photokina alternated every 2nd year.

    As for now they should only have one single event for consumer electronics, mobile phones and cameras...

  • Vitaliy_KiselevVitaliy_Kiselev

    @EspenB

    This exact thing is not related much to this.

    Plus IFA now distanced itself a lot from Photokina and similar events.

    And they already have such single event - it is called CES.

  • EspenBEspenB

    I must admit that my last CES was in 1999. 20 years ago. When DVD and 5.1 was the buzz. ;-)

    Previously the americans also had their photocentric show called PMA show (Photo Manufactures Association). Long gone.

    Yes, the market is in decline and some manufacturers have more problems than others.

    But still the Köln Messe descition to both change the event from autumn to spring and also schedule every year instead of a 2 year period between shows seems risky given the current state of affairs.

    When I go to IFA nowadyas this show is like a big mobile phone accessory party. I can only take a limited number of mobile phone covers a day. The basement is totally filled with kitchen stuff. As for photo Sony and Panasonic are allready present at IFA with their cameras. With classic heavyweights like Canikon with usually some smaller tents in the summer garden.

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