Show Reports

Held in even years, photokina is organized by KolnMesse GMBH in cooperation with the Photographic Industry Association. This "World of Imaging" is being held from Wednesday, September 25th to Monday, September 30, 2002, in Cologne, Germany. This year more than 1600 exhibitors from 45 countries will create the world's largest photo and imaging exposition, with more than 60 percent of exhibitors coming from outside Germany. The U.S.A. accounts for the largest contingent, with over 160 suppliers exhibiting. The international flavor of photokina is what drives that exhibitor attendance and shows why photokina is considered the premiere worldwide imaging event. Attendance in 2002 was over 162,000, with 40,000 trade exhibitors from outside Germany and over 1000 from the US alone.

This year, photokina has expanded by over 60,000 sq. ft. with the addition of exhibit space and special events for the digital printing and publishing and home electronics fields. With the convergence of the worlds of imaging and information, this expansion reflects the pervasive influence of imaging technology into all areas of communication, including telecommunications, information technology, pre-press, and consumer electronics. The World of Imaging at photokina defines the state of the art in all these fields and provides the perfect platform for the information, inspiration, and ideas essential to their continued growth.

The global reach of photokina is represented by attendance as well as by its influence. The show has always been the launching platform for new innovations as well as products, plus serves as a meeting place for the best in industry, commerce, and the arts. Supported by programs and events that speak to every segment of the market--from the consumer to business leaders to those in research and development--photokina is the world-class event in the imaging industry.

Visitors to photokina this year will experience an immersive environment that brings together special programs and seminars within each area of interest. Each of these programs is held in close proximity to exhibits that offer products and services that serve those interests. For example, in the Consumer Photo, Video and Imaging halls (Halls 1 to 8 and 11), the Slide Action Center, the Home Cinema Center, and the Youth Imaging Events will be held. And in Hall 14, Info-Comm Europe, which focuses on production and presentation technology and media, will complement the Professional Media exhibits. And throughout the halls inspiration comes in the form of exhibits mounted by the show organizers under the title, "The Power of Images."

The areas of interest are grouped into three main categories: Consumer Photo, Video and Imaging, Professional Photo and Imaging, and Professional Media/InfoComm Europe. The exhibits grouped into each sector reflect the traditional and the new, reflecting the expansion of imaging technology into diverse markets. In the Consumer area are photo and video cameras, lenses and accessories, digital imaging products, slide and film projection equipment, home entertainment, imaging services, and specialist trade supplies. In the Professional Photo and Imaging area are pro cameras and accessories, pro digital imaging products and systems, photo studio gear, processing lab equipment, printers and pre-press equipment and technology. Professional Media/InfoComm Europe features production techniques and equipment for AV media, projection and presentation products, and studio, show, and stage technology and services.

New programs this year include the First International Congress for Digital Publishing, the launch of a new pre-press standards initiative, Youth Imaging Events, a Slide Action Center, a Home Cinema Center that showcases home theater products and solutions, and exciting exhibits of photographic work throughout the halls and the city of Cologne.

For information on attending or exhibiting at photokina, contact: GACC--Cologne Trade Fairs, Mr. Franz Balve, 40 W. 57th St., 31st Floor, New York, NY 10019; (212) 974-8835; fax: (212) 974-8838; e-mail: info@citf.com.
--The Editors

Sites To Visit
Accommodations And Bookings:
TTI Travel
e-mail: info@traveltradeint.com
www.traveltradeint.com

General Information:
www.photokina.de (German and English)