The organizers of photokina 2008 are pleased to announce that, “All of the global imaging sector’s leading companies will return to photokina 2008 to present to international trade visitors their increasingly diverse range of imaging technology and imaging application products for consumers and professionals.”
“No other trade fair offers such a comprehensive range of products and services from the world of imaging and for the photographic and imaging sector,” said Koelnmesse Executive Vice President Oliver P. Kuhrt. “The event can therefore rightly be described as the leading platform for the global digital communication sector.” photokina’s organizers — Koelnmesse and the Photographic Industry Association — expect approximately 1,600 companies from around 50 countries to attend the fair in 2008. As in 2006, the share of foreign exhibitors next year will exceed 60 percent. Many of the exhibiting companies — including Sony, Panasonic, Samsung, and Canon — will once again expand their exhibition areas in 2008. According to Kuhrt, this is a clear indication of photokina’s unique position as the sector’s leading international platform, where companies can present themselves to a high-caliber audience of international trade visitors.
The show’s organizers also are pleased to report their success in attracting new exhibitors. With five months still to go before “the fair” as it is often referred to, more than 100 companies have announced their intention to exhibit at photokina for the first time. Kuhrt reported he is particularly delighted this year that photokina’s importance on the international stage has convinced Microsoft to once again take part with a large exhibit following the presence of the company from Redmond, WA. at the 2004 event. In addition, General Imaging, a new supplier in the camera segment, will for the first time be presenting its products at photokina.
As Kuhrt reported, the fair’s successful concept of aligning the entire imaging workflow with the event’s hall structure will be further improved and optimized for photokina 2008. The previous five product areas have now been reduced to four: Image Input, Image Processing, Image Storage, and Image Output. Moreover, accessories will now be presented in the imaging workflow product area they are used in, said Kuhrt. This optimization measure reflects market demand for effective implementation of the workflow concept in the form of a stronger consolidation of individual product areas supplemented by accessory presentations. At the same time, the new setup ensures a clearer and more compact hall structure.
Along with displays of new cameras, lenses, printers, services, and accessories for professionals and consumers, the event’s organizers expect photokina to be dominated by the questions of which simple and creative methods will be offered to consumers for printing images, and which new possibilities for displaying images will be used in the digital age.
Kuhrt made it clear, however, that photokina will in no way be limited to simply presenting products for consumers, but will instead also focus strongly on professional users. In this regard, Kuhrt announced that photokina will once again intensify its already strong commitment to imaging professionals — and to users and the trade — by means of special worldwide VIP programs, international Buyers Lounges, attractive travel packages, expert presentations, and increased cooperation with purchasing cooperatives and associations. All of these measures are designed to assist international retailers and professional users with their preparations for their photokina visit and their stay at the fair.
The photokina organizers also presented some of the initial highlights of the supporting program for the 2008 event. Along with the traditional GfK Market Briefings, which provide retailers and industry representatives with concise background information and detailed market studies, further highlights include the “Memories on Demand” International Business Forum, in which top international decision-makers in the sector will discuss the effect digital imaging technology is having on consumer lifestyles. The forum will primarily be focused on determining which new business models are best suited to meeting modern consumer requirements. photokina’s organizers expect around 400 international top managers from the industry and the retail sector to participate in the forum.
The Impressions XXL Projection Arena, which will be located in a special area, will focus on image presentations and projection, and will also demonstrate to trade visitors and consumers how to make the emotional impact of good images much stronger by presenting them in an impressive manner. The aim of this event is to show photographers that a specific presentation and projection solution exists for every requirement, no matter how large or small the consumer’s budget might be. Professional users, such as photographers, advertising agencies, travel agents, museums, architects, and companies, will also receive practical instructions on how to choose customized solutions that meet their particular needs.
The Visual Gallery will once again serve as a cultural highlight at photokina 2008 by presenting the best works of internationally famous photographers and award-winning young talents. The “top act“ at this year’s Visual Gallery will be an exhibition of photographs by U.S. actor and director Dennis Hopper. Long before he made his international breakthrough in 1969 with “Easy Rider,“ Hopper had made a name for himself as a photographer. Between 1961 and 1967 Hopper documented the turbulent scenes of a new era with impressive images of the U.S. civil rights movement and created numerous striking portraits of the young stars of popular art from his own generation. The exhibition includes portraits of David Hockney, Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Rauschenberg and Andy Warhol. The internationally renowned top photojournalist Thomas Höpker, who now lives in New York, will also be presenting works that are high points of his career in photography. Further highlights at the Visual Gallery will include photos from the “Cicero Gallery for Political Photography” and the best images of the Canon Promotional Award for Professional Photographers. For more check out www.photokina-cologne.com
