FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cologne, Germany, Chicago, USA – September 15, 2013
How to get ready for photokina 2014
Every two years, the movers and shakers in the camera industry join the seasoned industry professionals at photokina. This event is the world’s largest for the photographic and imaging industries. Many photographic and imaging companies use photokina to introduce and showcase state of the art imaging products.
Hundreds of North American photo imaging retailers, distributors, imaging professionals and photographers regularly attend this event to source the latest in camera equipment, accessories, kiosk software, scrapbooking, lab options and printing equipment.
1,000 exhibitors from all over the world are expected to showcase their photo/imaging products and services during the 36th edition of photokina. Among the major players attending at this year’s photokina dates will be: Hasselblad, Phase One, Haehnel, Bresser, Doerr, Ringphoto, Europafoto, Olympus, Nicon, Epson, Ricoh, Carl Zeiss, Manfrotto, Canon, Panasonic, Fuji, Tamron, Sigma, Cewe, Kodak, Blackmagic, HP, Samsung, Sony, Polaroid, Daymen, Walser, Difox, Go Pro, Google and Rollei.
Besides the regular exhibit spaces, photokina offers a comprehensive program for professional photographers and the photo trade:
Hall 5.1 photokina CGI – A Computer Generated Imaging exhibit showing a fusion between real photography and virtual photo materials illustrating the merger between reality and fantasy
Hall 9.1 photokina Academy – 10 universities will present projects showing the difference of geographic and socially based Living Conditions. The top three presentations will receive the photokina academy award.
Hall 9.1 photokina communities – A stage program with presentations on “Social Media”, “Connectivity”, “Mobile Apps” and “Action Cams”.
Hall 9.1 photokina action zone – demonstrating and testing a series of action cameras under “live” conditions such as Sky Shooter, Aqua Zorbing and Bull Riding competitions.
Hall 4.1 photokina movie – A stage presentation about DSLR/Video technology including presentations by Black Magic Design, Zeiss and Marcotec. North American attendees should use following tips to make the most of their travel and photokina experience:
Travel:
Book your flight early enough to take advantage of lower rates. Economy class tickets from the East Coast start at $ 1,100. All major North American Airlines offer service to Frankfurt International Airport (FRA). The airport has its own train station. High speed Inter-City Express (ICE) trains run three times per hour and will take you to downtown Cologne in a little more than 50 minutes – one way tickets cost about $ 60.
Entrance ticket /Show Hours:
Discounted entrance tickets ordered online offer a 35% discount. 2-day passes can be purchased for EURO 48. The pass for all days costs EURO 78. Entrance tickets provide you with free of charge transportation on buses and subways during all show days. photokina is open daily from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. including the last day. The six day show will commence on Tuesday, September 16th and end on Sunday, September 21.
Staying in Cologne:
Pre-booked hotel rooms in Cologne are available via photokina’s New York based travel partner, TTI Travel, at 212.674.3476 or customerservice@traveltradeint.com TTI holds a wide variety of room blocks in Cologne and offers advice to North American attendees to Cologne on the hotels proximity to the fairgrounds. The travel agency provides maps, commuting tips to the fairground, and a list of Cologne restaurants.
Pre-show preparation:
Use the exhibitor listing at www.photokina-cologne.com to plan your trip and search out the companies you would like to visit. You can sort the listing by product category or geography. We recommend making pre-show appointments via photokina’s “online matchmaking services”, a service available six weeks prior to the event. Take some time to learn about products and competition prior to the visiting the photokina – Make a list of companies you plan to visit and organize it by hall saving your time during your photokina visit.
On-site:
photokina takes place at the fifth largest fairground worldwide. The halls are connected via a central “Boulevard” providing a main artery to all 10 halls. Exhibitors at photokina are easy to find in clearly categorized and marked halls.
Use your cell phone camera for recording images of products and people you meet. It will help you to organize your follow up! Take advantage of the International Buyers’ Lounge at the Congress Center East. The Buyers Lounge provides detailed trade fair and product information, cell phone charger stations, and PCs with Internet access. The Lounge is open daily between 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Last not least, make sure to wear comfortable shoes, the aisles in Cologne are not carpeted!
Things to do in Cologne:
Leave some time to visit the attractions Cologne has to offer, such as the famous Cathedral (Dom), a visit to the Old town “Altstadt” consisting of a large row of unique restaurants and bars. Feel like a hearty dinner and a taste of the locally brewed beer? Try one of the Brauhauses for where you will meet people from all over the world during photokina. Recommended ones are Paeffgen, Frueh and Peters Brauhaus.
For more information contact Darrin Stern, 773-326-9925 or d.sternkoelnmesse.us or during photokina at 773-727-0337 (cell).
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About Koelnmesse, Inc.
Koelnmesse, Inc. is the Chicago- based subsidiary of Koelnmesse GmbH, Anuga producer. The Koelnmesse group organizes more than 75+ trade shows in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Our office serves as the main contact for North American exhibitors, attendees, media and trade associations interested in taking part in Koelnmesse events. We assist North American companies and attendees in all their planning steps towards participation in our show programs. We work with a broad network of selected suppliers offering services such as: travel, product shipping, customs handling, booth construction & design, pre-show preparation and attendance procedure.
