Originating in 1950, Photokina Lead the Photo Industry as THE place to introduce new products on even numbered years.
COVID has made Photokina untenable for now, and maybe the future as well.
This is a great loss for the photo industry and sign of our changing times. Of course this is also a great loss not only for the tourist industry of Cologne and surrounding areas, but Germany and Europe as well. Attending Photokina was a lot of fun. I hope it makes an in person comeback.
Future updates will be found here https://www.photokina.com/
This is the Press Release:
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After 70 years, decreases in the imaging market force a hard cut
In view of the further massive decline in markets for imaging products, Koelnmesse has decided to discontinue organising photokina at its Cologne location for the time being. "Unfortunately, at present the framework conditions in the industry do not provide a viable basis for the leading international trade fair for photography, video and imaging," according to Gerald Böse, President and Chief Executive Officer of Koelnmesse. "This hard cut after a 70-year shared history was very difficult for us. The trend in this industry, with which we have always had a close and trusting partnership, is very painful for us to witness. But we are facing the situation with a clear, honest decision against continuing this event, a decision to which, unfortunately, we have no alternative."
Even before the coronavirus pandemic began, the imaging market was already subject to strong upheaval, with annual declines in the double digits. The momentum in this direction intensified massively in 2020, most recently reporting a decline in the 50-percent range. Recently, these developments have had a profound effect on photokina, which - in Cologne since 1950 - for generations has been the top address for the imaging industry and ranks among the most favourably and emotionally charged brands in the trade fair world.
Since 2014, Koelnmesse, together with the German Photo Industry Association, has taken its cue from downward market trends, responding with adjustments to the underlying concept of the trade fair as well as considerable investment in new exhibitor and visitor segments. "These changes in conceptual design, along with a shift in intervals and a change of dates, did not fundamentally improve the situation of the event," says Oliver Frese, Management Board member and Chief Operating Officer of Koelnmesse. "While there are more photographs taken today than ever before, the integration of smartphone photography and videography, together with image-based communication, e.g. via social media, was not able to cushion the elimination of large segments of the classic market. As a result, the overall situation is not compatible with the quality standards of photokina as a globally renowned brand representing the highest quality and professionalism in the international imaging market."
Koelnmesse has made its decision in close coordination with the German Photo Industry Association. Kai Hillebrandt, Chairman of that association, remarked: "Our partners in Cologne have done everything in their power to maintain photokina as the leading global trade fair. Nonetheless, an event held in 2022 could not have met the expectations of the entire imaging community that those efforts were intended to serve. That is why we, on behalf of our association, are joining them in taking this regrettably unavoidable step. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the team in Cologne for a tremendous 70 years together!
COVID has made Photokina untenable for now, and maybe the future as well.
This is a great loss for the photo industry and sign of our changing times. Of course this is also a great loss not only for the tourist industry of Cologne and surrounding areas, but Germany and Europe as well. Attending Photokina was a lot of fun. I hope it makes an in person comeback.
Future updates will be found here https://www.photokina.com/
This is the Press Release:
----------------------------
After 70 years, decreases in the imaging market force a hard cut
In view of the further massive decline in markets for imaging products, Koelnmesse has decided to discontinue organising photokina at its Cologne location for the time being. "Unfortunately, at present the framework conditions in the industry do not provide a viable basis for the leading international trade fair for photography, video and imaging," according to Gerald Böse, President and Chief Executive Officer of Koelnmesse. "This hard cut after a 70-year shared history was very difficult for us. The trend in this industry, with which we have always had a close and trusting partnership, is very painful for us to witness. But we are facing the situation with a clear, honest decision against continuing this event, a decision to which, unfortunately, we have no alternative."
Even before the coronavirus pandemic began, the imaging market was already subject to strong upheaval, with annual declines in the double digits. The momentum in this direction intensified massively in 2020, most recently reporting a decline in the 50-percent range. Recently, these developments have had a profound effect on photokina, which - in Cologne since 1950 - for generations has been the top address for the imaging industry and ranks among the most favourably and emotionally charged brands in the trade fair world.
Since 2014, Koelnmesse, together with the German Photo Industry Association, has taken its cue from downward market trends, responding with adjustments to the underlying concept of the trade fair as well as considerable investment in new exhibitor and visitor segments. "These changes in conceptual design, along with a shift in intervals and a change of dates, did not fundamentally improve the situation of the event," says Oliver Frese, Management Board member and Chief Operating Officer of Koelnmesse. "While there are more photographs taken today than ever before, the integration of smartphone photography and videography, together with image-based communication, e.g. via social media, was not able to cushion the elimination of large segments of the classic market. As a result, the overall situation is not compatible with the quality standards of photokina as a globally renowned brand representing the highest quality and professionalism in the international imaging market."
Koelnmesse has made its decision in close coordination with the German Photo Industry Association. Kai Hillebrandt, Chairman of that association, remarked: "Our partners in Cologne have done everything in their power to maintain photokina as the leading global trade fair. Nonetheless, an event held in 2022 could not have met the expectations of the entire imaging community that those efforts were intended to serve. That is why we, on behalf of our association, are joining them in taking this regrettably unavoidable step. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the team in Cologne for a tremendous 70 years together!
css9450
Mentor
The biennial get-together of RFF members will be missed.
Solinar
Analog Preferred
Sad Times
Sad Times
It wasn't just the new cameras and lenses that would be shown in a hands on fashion, but the gadgets as well. Fingers crossed that some of the current billion plus cell phone users will decide to up their game.
Sad Times
It wasn't just the new cameras and lenses that would be shown in a hands on fashion, but the gadgets as well. Fingers crossed that some of the current billion plus cell phone users will decide to up their game.
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zuiko85
Mentor
For those who had either the circumstances or financial means to go, well and good. But in my five decades of this hobby it has been just a remote show with an article or two a couple of months later in Popular or Modern, now themselves long dead.
Since the digital onslaught, it’s hard to get excited about any ‘new thing’ in photography. It’s only ‘new’ for a month or so....then onward....ever onwards, to the next new thing.
Since the digital onslaught, it’s hard to get excited about any ‘new thing’ in photography. It’s only ‘new’ for a month or so....then onward....ever onwards, to the next new thing.
xayraa33
rangefinder user and fancier
There is a whole slew of old and vintage photo gear to get excited about.
So most of us can make do with the hardship sacrifice with a year off with no "new gear photo fair" showing us the latest and the greatest and this so called "new normal" that could last till 2025.. we have to bite the bullet and put up with it along with the rest of the inconvenience that have been foisted on us naive innocents .
So most of us can make do with the hardship sacrifice with a year off with no "new gear photo fair" showing us the latest and the greatest and this so called "new normal" that could last till 2025.. we have to bite the bullet and put up with it along with the rest of the inconvenience that have been foisted on us naive innocents .