Canon Launches Its First Image Square “Experience Center” in Canada

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As rumors predicted earlier this month, Canon has launched the first of a series of Image Square showrooms in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. These “Experience Centers” are brick-and-mortar locations where customers can try out the latest and greatest Canon products in a friendly and helpful environment.

The large 6,600-square-foot space is specifically geared for trying before buying — it doesn’t actually offer products for purchase. Instead, the staff members will suggest authorized local retailers and ways of buying direct from Canon (just not in the showroom itself).

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Just like Apple is doing with its now-iconic retail outlets, Canon’s Image Square showrooms will contain a group of staff on hand that answer visitors’ questions and various “exhibits” scattered across the room (including DSLR cameras and all kinds of lenses).

There will also be a large touchscreen media wall where visitors can interact with the images they create, a photography studio outfitted with Canon gear and software, and a classroom-style learning space (for seminars, demos, classes, and presentations).

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One of the more interesting features is a photo gallery area that’s curated by one of the up-and-coming photo sharing services: 500px. The young Canadian startup will be using the gallery to feature the works of Alberta-based photographers who shoot with Canon gear.

If you’d like a Canon Experience Center in your own neighborhood, just sit tight: this Calgary space is simply the first of many that Canon is planning to launch around the world.

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