Following the demise of the 70-year-old Photokina trade exhibition in Cologne, the German city of Hamburg has moved swiftly to offer the international photographic industry a replacement event, Photopia Hamburg, even though trade exhibitions are still prohibited in the city due to Coronavirus.
Photopia Hamburg is ‘pencilled in’ for September 23 – 26 at the Hamburg Messe (exhibition halls). The oganiser, Hamburge Messe + Congress, is anticipating Covid restrictions will be lifted soon, enabling the event to take place. However full refunds are on offer to exhibitors ‘in the event that we have no other choice but to cancel Photopia Hamburg’.
Photoindustrrie-Verband, the German photo industry trade association, which was a partner with Kolnmesse for Photokina, is backing the new initiative, along with high profile European photo companies such as Leica and Ilford.
‘This new event format impresses with an innovative and promising concept,’ said Kai Hillebrandt, Chairman, Photoindustrie-Verband eV. ‘We will support Photopia with all our strength and actively shape it.’
The trade show will be complemented by events across the city, described as ‘Germany’s photography capital’, under the sub-brand Photopia City: Photopia City is aimed primarily at beginners and the large group of young smartphone users. Workshops and photo walks playfully introduce modern imaging technologies and create enthusiasm for higher-performance equipment. Galleries, exhibitions and parallel events like the Reeperbahn Festival (Europe’s largest club festival) provide the opportunity to appear and interact with new target groups in an enthralling setting.
The TIPA Awards for outstanding photographic products will also use Photopia as a platform for its annual awards ceremony.
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