Press release

No 8 / Cologne, Germany, 27 November 2020

photokina will be suspended until further notice
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 conditionsin 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 sharedhistory was very difficult for us. The trend in this industry, with which we havealways 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 thisevent, a decision to which, unfortunately, we have no alternative.”

Your contact for questions:

Guido Gudat
Tel.

+49 221-821-2494
Fax+49 221 821-2460
Even before the coronavirus pandemic began, the imaging market was alreadysubject to strong upheaval, with annual declines in the double digits. The
momentum in this direction intensified massively in 2020, most recently reporting adecline in the 50-percent range. Recently, these developments have had a profoundeffect on photokina, which – in Cologne since 1950 – for generations has been thetop address for the imaging industry and ranks among the most favourably andemotionally charged brands in the trade fair world.
Since 2014, Koelnmesse, together with the German Photo Industry Association, hastaken its cue from downward market trends, responding with adjustments to theunderlying concept of the trade fair as well as considerable investment in newexhibitor and visitor segments. “These changes in conceptual design, along with ashift in intervals and a change of dates, did not fundamentally improve the situationof the event,” says Oliver Frese, Management Board member and Chief Operating
Officer of Koelnmesse. “While there are more photographs taken today than everbefore, the integration of smartphone photography and videography, together withimage-based communication, e.g. via social media, was not able to cushion theelimination 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: “Ourpartners 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 thankthe team in Cologne for a tremendous 70 years together!”e-mailg.gudat@koelnmesse.de
Koelnmesse GmbHMesseplatz 150679 Köln
P.O. Box 21 07 6050532 Köln
GermanyTel.
+49 221 821-0
Fax+49 221 821-2574
info@koelnmesse.dewww.koelnmesse.com
Executive Board:
Gerald Böse (President and Chief
Executive Officer)
Oliver Frese
Herbert Marner
Chairwoman of the Supervisory
Board: Mayor of the City of Cologne
Henriette Reker
Headquarters andplace of jurisdiction: Cologne
District Court Cologne, HRB 952