Photokina trade show suspended

In late November, the Cologne Photokina trade show announced it was suspending the event until further notice.

Unsurprisingly, the 2020 edition of Photokina, held in Cologne (Germany), was postponed due to the current health crisis. But on 27 November, a press release went up on the event's website announcing that Koelnmesse, the organiser, was suspending the show. The reasons cited weren't limited to the Covid-19 crisis, but also — and above all — to "the massive decline in imaging-product markets."

Initially planned for spring 2020, pushed to spring 2022, it is therefore the end of Photokina in Cologne, for now…

Below is the press release of 27 November 2020

After 70 years, the decline of the imaging market forces difficult decisions.

In view of the ongoing massive decline of the imaging-product markets, Koelnmesse has decided to stop organising Photokina at its Cologne site for the time being. "Unfortunately, in the current industry conditions, there is no longer a viable basis for a leading international trade show for photography, video and imaging," according to Gerald Böse, President and CEO of Koelnmesse. "This abrupt decision, after 70 years of shared history, has been very hard for us. The trend in this sector — with which we have always had a close and trusting partnership — is painful to witness. But we are being clear-eyed, making a plain and honest decision against continuing this event, a decision for which, unfortunately, we have no alternative."

Even before the coronavirus pandemic began, the imaging market was already going through major upheavals, with double-digit annual declines. This trend intensified massively in 2020, recently showing a drop of around 50%. These developments have had a profound impact on Photokina, which — in Cologne since 1950 — has been the leading trade show for the imaging industry for generations, and ranks among the most favourably and emotionally charged brands in the trade-show world.

Since 2014, Koelnmesse, in cooperation with the German Photo Industry Association, has adapted to the declining market trends, reacting by adjusting the underlying concept of the show and by investing significantly in new exhibitor and visitor segments. "These changes in concept, along with a change of periodicity and dates, have not fundamentally improved the event's situation," says Oliver Frese, Member of the Management Board and COO of Koelnmesse. "While more photographs are taken today than ever before, the integration of photography and videography into smartphones, along with image-based communication — for example via social media — has not been able to offset the elimination of large segments of the classic market. The overall situation is not compatible with Photokina's quality standards as a world-renowned brand representing the highest quality and professionalism in the international imaging market."

Koelnmesse took its decision in close coordination with the German Photo Industry Association. Kai Hillebrandt, president of the association, said: "Our Cologne partners did everything in their power to maintain Photokina as the world's leading trade show. Nevertheless, an event held in 2022 would not have been able to meet the expectations of the entire imaging community. Those efforts were meant to serve it. That is why, on behalf of our association, we join them in taking this unfortunately unavoidable step. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Cologne team for 70 wonderful years together!"