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Photokina has shared a press release confirming Canon, Panasonic and Sony will be attending the 2020 expo in Japan and ensures the manufacturers ‘once again promise a fireworks display of new products at Photokina.’
The press release, titled “Photokina 2020: A Visit to the Motherland of Imaging,” comes three months after Photokina confirmed Leica, Nikon and Olympus won’t be attending the trade-show and reads as a rebuttal of sorts to remind the photography industry that Photokina is far from over, despite three main players dropping out.
The release of the press release follows a trip to Tokyo wherein delegation from the City of Cologne, Koelnmesse (the trade fair organizer responsible for Photokina) and the association of the photo industry (PIV) met with Canon executives, as well as other ambassadors and ‘high-ranking company representatives’ from Japan.
After briefly talking about the meeting in the introduction, Photokina follows with statements from Canon, Panasonic and Sony executives, which we’ve gathered below.
Canon Chief Executive Officer Image Communication Business Operations, Go Tokura, says:
‘As the imaging industry is at a significant turning point, we expect Photokina to be a leading show of the worldwide photo and imaging industry. Canon is eager to introduce new products and concept products at Photokina, thereby contributing to the industry’s success.’
Panasonic Director of Smart Life Network Business Division, Yosuke Yamane, says:
‘For many years, Photokina has been the ideal platform for us to present our product innovations. The Imaging industry is facing big changes and challenges these days. In 2020, we will also be coming to Cologne with big expectations in the new Photokina format and are looking forward to contributing with great innovations.’
Sony Senior General Manager of the Marketing Division at Sony Imaging Products & Solutions, Yosuke Aoki, says:
‘Sony is very glad to be part of Photokina again next year. Photokina 2020 gives us the opportunity to present our latest innovations and to maintain a direct dialog with all Digital Imaging Lovers. Sony is looking forward to seeing you all in Cologne.’
The press release wraps up with statements from Koelnmesse President and Chief Executive Officer Gerald Böse and Chairman of the photo industry association (PIV), Kai Hillebrandt.
The press release isn’t necessarily unusual when viewed in a vacuum, as using quotes from the exhibitors to promote the expo is nothing new or out of the ordinary. But when looked at in context of Leica, Nikon and Olympus dropping out just three months ago, it does seem as though the press release and statements are a mutual pact to at least give the illusion of Photokina being no different than before, if not better.
Press release:
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)