photokina to host new conference for trade visitors

The Imaging Innovation Conference (IIC) on 26 May 2020, the day prior to the start of photokina, is a new format event designed to bring together retailers, service providers, suppliers, photographers, videographers and other content creators from around the world to network and to discuss industry trends, within the context of the leading imaging trade fair. The Imaging Innovation Conference is the further development of the annual Business Forum Imaging Cologne, which was last held in March 2019 and established itself as an important platform for trends and innovations in the international imaging industry since the inaugural event in 2009, according to Koelnmesse.

“In more closely approaching photokina, the new Imaging Innovation Conference addresses trade visitors who want to get the most out of their trip to Cologne with innovative and disruptive topics, as well as top speakers”, says Christoph Werner, Vice President of Koelnmesse. ”In combination with a visit to photokina, a holistic picture of the state of the industry is created that will inspire the attendees for their own actions and business strategies.”

The call for papers has started, and, in addition to plenary sessions in the morning, several parallel tracks are planned for the afternoon. The conference takes place in the Crystal Hall in Congress Centre East of Koelnmesse. The day will close with a networking dinner in the Cologne Rheinterassen.

The Imaging Innovation Conference, which is being organized by Koelnmesse in cooperation with C.A.T.-Publishing Thomas Blömer GmbH, addresses retailers, imaging service providers and suppliers, professional photographers, video producers and other content creators as well as software developers, innovators, analysts and trend scouts. Prior to the official opening of the fair, they are offered an exciting opportunity to learn from top-executives of the imaging industry, new vendors, start-up companies, innovators and independent experts how new technologies enable the industry to develop pioneering innovations. In addition to the latest technological developments and product innovations, the conference will also feature innovative marketing strategies and concepts for the retail trade that enable them to match the expectations of the customers in a digital society.

Tickets for the conference will be available as of 3 February in the Ticket Shop of Koelnmesse and are also valid for admission to photokina.