Cologne, Germany—Despite a difficult economy, the organizers of the biannual photokina trade fair—Koelnmesse and the Photographic Industry Association—announced that all major players in the photo-imaging industry will be on stage at photokina and present the entire spectrum of products and services in the areas of modern image technology and image applications for consumers and professionals.
It’s estimated that more than 1,300 exhibitors from around 50 countries will present their products and services in Cologne to more than 150,000 attendees from around the world. And, without exception, “all the leading companies in the imaging industry have emphasized the importance of photokina and have indicated that photokina 2010 is the top venue for marketing their products to the international trade,” announced the Koelnmesse. “photokina is the only event in the world that presents all imaging media, imaging technologies and imaging markets comprehensively and in all their variety under one roof—for professionals and consumers alike.”
Core program highlights for the “World of Imaging” show, to be held September 21–26, 2010, include the following:
Meet the Professionals. To stay on the forefront of the evolving imaging industry, photokina 2010 will include new target groups. Meet the Professionals, an area in Hall 1, is targeted at services and products to meet the needs of professional photographers and imaging specialists.
Computer Generated Imaging. The photokina CGI Solution Center, in Hall 4.1, will showcase the latest in computer-generated imaging and know-how. This area is designed for suppliers as well as potential new users of imaging technologies. Together with hardware suppliers, software developers, creative users, specialized dealers and qualified training centers, photokina plans to offer a top-level program that will put current and future developments of this new technology on display.
Movie Wall at photokina. This is a world record attempt to be registered with the Guinness Book of Records as the largest matrix movie wall. It can be viewed during photokina 2010 along with live production of matrix movies at the trade fair.
The Digital Photography Working Group will install what is likely the largest matrix movie wall in the world—14 meters in diameter and almost 44 meters in circumference. Attendees will be invited to have a video clip made which will be viewable on the Internet.
Meet the Communities (Photography and Web 2.0 Fans). In Hall 5.1, photokina will provide a central meeting point for photo enthusiasts. Meet the Communities at photokina is designed as a marketplace where organizers of photo festivals, photo book publishers, associations and social networks can meet with consumers and explain their services. Workshops and presentations on picture taking, video and sharing will be offered. Meet the Communities can be accessed online via a Twitterwall offering Q&A sessions. Live TV sessions with interviews from the show floor and various special events will be recorded by FotoTV, the official photokina TV partner. Additionally, fotocommunity—one of Europe’s largest online communities for the topic of photograph—will present itself here and will also organize a user meeting for its members at the special area.
Academy Meets photokina (Young & Upcoming Photographers). In Hall 1, this exhibit will be placed with the Visual Gallery. Students and graduates of technical colleges and art academies who have majored in photography can apply to participate in the competition for the promotion prizes. And once again, the three best entries will be awarded cash prices.
photo.Cologne – City Wide Competition for Photo Enthusiasts. For the first time, the “International Photo Scene Cologne” will team up with Koelnmesse to organize a citywide event: “photokina: cologne takes photos!” Amateurs, professionals and those interested in artistic photography can take part in this. Through this event, the organizer expects to strengthen the importance of Cologne as a center for photography. photokina-cologne.com
