Is Photokina losing its charm?

There’s more to the show then what meets the eye: Rumours, product launches and more

- Bhavya Desai

Since I can remember, the month of September every second year has a certain level of excitement and looking forward to, for it’s the month when the city of Köln, Germany hosts the biggest photographic expo in the world - PHOTOKINA. This, accompanied by some of the best festivals in the neighbouring cities like the Oktoberfest among others would build a great level of expectation, anticipation for a business cum leisure trip. But as time has passed by, and with the advent of digital ecosystem today, combined with the global economic markets, things have not just changed ever so slightly for Photokina, but enormously. I bet someone in that room is now wondering what if we had made the fair an annual affair instead of its current format?

But while the rumours around the show shrinking further have already started circling, the GFC hasn’t helped the organiser’s situation, added by its ‘once in two years format’. The truth unfolds will only be out on the 20th of September, but the question that remains is if Photokina is really losing its charm? Think about it, as a business owner, premier journalist or a company representative. Are you not looking to visit Photokina this year? Yes, you might be scaling back from what you use to do earlier, but are you looking to completely avoid it? I don’t think so. Yes, products are now available in every market simultaneously now, which doesn’t make it that much of an incentive for a photographer or industry colleagues to visit the show like before, but even now, it still continues to be an event to reckon with.