Photokina suspended until further notice

01 December 2020: Koelnmesse has decided to discontinue organising photokina at its Cologne location until further notice. This decision was taken in view of the further massive decline in markets for imaging products. Koelnmesse has made its decision in close coordination with the German Photo Industry Association.

In his statement, Gerald Böse, President and Chief Executive Officer of Koelnmesse said “This hard cut after a 70-year shared history was very difficult for us. At present the framework conditions in the industry do not provide a viable basis for the leading international trade fair for photography, video and imaging. We are facing the situation with a clear, honest decision against continuing this event, a decision to which, unfortunately, we have no alternative.”

Even before the coronavirus pandemic began, the imaging market was already subject to strong upheaval, with annual declines in the double digits. The momentum in this direction intensified massively in 2020, most recently reporting a decline in the 50% range. Recently, these developments have had a profound effect on photokina, which – in Cologne since 1950 for generations has been the top address for the imaging industry.

Since 2014, Koelnmesse, together with the German Photo Industry Association, has taken its cue from downward market trends, responding with adjustments to the underlying concept of the trade fair as well as considerable investment in new exhibitor and visitor segments.