Photokina Canceled Because of COVID-19 Pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic is having a huge effect on the photography industry’s release schedule and tradeshow.

And today Photokina announced it would be joining the legions of other canceled shows and isn’t having this year’s show – a real disappointment given its prominence among the trade shows.

The press release from the team at Photokina reads in part:

“The management team of Koelnmesse has decided not to organise any own events on the part of Koelnmesse until the end of June 2020 – including the photokina. This decision is supported by the crisis management team of the City of Cologne, which also recommended in its meeting on 18.03.2020 to cancel the trade fairs during this period of time.

This also happens against the background of the agreement reached on 16.03.2020 between the German federal government and the governments of the German states – laying down common guidelines for dealing with the coronavirus epidemic and explicitly including the general closure of trade fairs and exhibitions. This impairs the planning security for Koelnmesse and the participants of the trade fairs in Cologne far beyond the scope of the current scenarios.

This decision also includes the cancellation of photokina, which was planned for 27 to 30 May 2020. The cancellation is also valid for the Imaging Innovation Conference for 26 May 2020. A new date will be coordinated.”

As we’ve reported, the virus has led to the delay or product releases and even possibly a drug that can help treat it from one of Fujifilm’s subsidiaries. Needless to say, it’s been a wild ride.

What do you think of the impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on the photography industry and elsewhere? Let us know your thoughts on this news story in the comments section below if you like.

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[Fujirumors]