Photokina comes to an end

We just received the sad news about Photokina, the great biannual photo show in Cologne, Germany:

Together with the imaging industry, we look back on a successful, colorful and innovative era, 70 years of photokina in Cologne Since 1950, it has been the top address for generations for photo, video and imaging, and it is undoubtedly one of the most positive and emotional brands in the global trade fair world.

For this very reason, it is extremely difficult for us to suspend the organization of photokina in Cologne for the time being in view of the continuing massive decline in the markets for imaging products and the very heterogeneous needs of the various market segments.

Even before the Corona pandemic, the imaging market was already in a state of flux, with annual double-digit percentage declines. This dynamic has been massively intensified in 2020 and was most recently associated with a minus in the region of 50 percent. These market changes have had a strong impact on photokina in the recent past. Even conceptual changes, such as the inclusion of the smartphone and new imaging technologies, as well as a change in rotation and a change of dates, were not able to compensate for the decline in exhibitor numbers and their marketing budgets, each of which resulted from the consolidation of the traditional market.

The current overall situation is not compatible with the quality demands placed on a photokina as a globally renowned leading trade fair and brand that stands for the highest quality and professionalism in the international imaging market.

This harsh cut after decades of shared history hurts. However, we have to face the facts and the development of the industry and make a clear, honest decision against continuing the event, which unfortunately has no alternative for us.

We would like to express our sincere thanks for the many years of loyalty to photokina and the enthusiasm that goes with it. We trust that you know how much we are committed to you and how difficult it is for us to plan no photokina with you in the foreseeable future. Without you, your work and your cooperation, photokina would not have become this great and emotional world-leading trade fair. It is the unforgettable snapshots that will remain in our memories. Together we have created images for eternity. Imaging unlimited!

Thank you for 70 years together,
on behalf of the entire photokina team.

yours
Jan-Raphael Spitzhorn
Director

Koelnmesse GmbH
Fairground 1
50679 Cologne
Germany