Cologne delegation travels to Japan
The city partnership between Cologne and Kyoto has existed since 1963 and is characterised by a lively exchange from sport to art and culture. The state of North Rhine-Westphalia, with Cologne as the largest metropolis, has long been one of Europe's most important locations for Japan. Over 600 companies have settled here. The photokina is also an integral part of the good connection to Japan. A delegation from the city of Cologne, Koelnmesse and the Photoindustrie-Verband (PIV) confirmed this connection during a visit to Tokyo.
Cologne's Lord Mayor Henriette Reker, Koelnmesse CEO Gerald Böse, and PIV Chairman Kai Hillebrandt were warmly welcomed at a festive reception at the German Embassy in Tokyo by Ambassador Ina Lepel and high-ranking company representatives. Among the guests were also numerous representatives of the Japanese imaging industry, for which 2020 is a great year: The Olympic Games will take place in Tokyo and, thanks to outstanding photo and film technology, people all over the world will be able to experience them up close. Many millions of snapshots and selfies of spectators and athletes will go around the world in the social media. This will be made possible by the achievements of imaging, whose latest developments will be on display at photokina in Cologne shortly before the start of the Olympic Games.
Manufacturers again promise fireworks of innovations at photokina
In personal discussions with top exhibitors at photokina, they confirmed their commitment to photokina 2020.
"For many years, photokina has been the ideal platform for us to present our product innovations. The imaging industry is currently facing major changes and challenges. We will be coming to Cologne again in 2020 with great expectations of the new photokina format and look forward to participating with major innovations," says Yosuke Yamane, Director Smart Life Network Business Division at Panasonic.
Go Tokura, Chief Executive Officer Image Communication Business Operations at Canon, said: "With the imaging industry at a significant turning point, we expect photokina to fulfill its role as the leading trade show for the global photo and imaging industry. Canon is looking forward to showcasing new products at photokina and contributing to the industry's success".
Yosuke Aoki, Senior General Manager, Marketing Division, Sony Imaging Products & Solutions, shares this positive expectation: "Sony is very excited to be part of photokina again next year. photokina 2020 gives us the opportunity to showcase our latest innovations and engage in a direct dialogue with all digital imaging enthusiasts. Sony looks forward to seeing you all in Cologne."
Dynamic market development requires dynamic trade fair platform
For Gerald Böse, CEO of Koelnmesse, support from the motherland of imaging is indispensable for the success of photokina: "Japanese companies have had a decisive influence on the development of imaging technologies, just as they have also been shaping the industry's leading trade fair, photokina, for almost 70 years. During this time, we have mastered a multitude of challenges together because the enthusiasm for images remains unbroken. We are currently facing major changes again. I am all the more pleased to have received so many positive signals on this trip about how important photokina will continue to be for the industry representatives here in Japan".
Kai Hillebrandt, Chairman of the Photoindustrie-Verband, also emphasises the opportunities of a leading trade fair in times of change: "For us it is at any rate clear: As dynamic as the market development presents itself, so dynamic must a trade fair concept and a trade fair platform be. As an association, we are convinced that photokina, as the industry's leading trade fair, still offers the best conditions for this. Because only at photokina in Cologne can we, in the shortest possible time, present all the new products in our sector to an international specialist world and disseminate them worldwide via the media.".
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