Photokina 2020 Has Been Cancelled Due to Coronavirus, Will Return in May 2022

The organizers of Photokina 2020 have finally announced what we expected all along: the 2020 trade show has been cancelled due to public health concerns surrounding the novel coronavirus. The show will not take place again until May 2022.

The news is currently trickling out over email, but should pop up on the Photokina website shortly. In an email forwarded to us by photographer Adrian Murray, the management team of Koelnmesse revealed that new regulations have led to the cancellation all of the events that the group organizes, including Photokina 2020.

“This decision is supported by the crisis management team of the City of Cologne, which also recommended in its meeting on [March 18th, 2020] to cancel the trade fairs during this period of time,” reads the email. “This also happens against the background of the agreement reached on [March 16th, 2020] between the German federal government and the governments of the German states […] explicitly including the general closure of trade fairs and exhibitions.”

In addition to cancelling the 2020 show outright, the email confirms that all paid tickets will be refunded, and sets the date for the next Photokina expo for May 2022.

“The next photokina will take place in Cologne 18 to 21 May 2022,” reads the email, in bold. “The 2022 orientation gives us enough time to design the next photokina according to the needs of the market, our exhibitors and visitors. All paid tickets will be refunded […] in the coming weeks.”

You can read the full email for yourself below:

Dear [customer],

The management team of Koelnmesse has decided not to organise any own events on the part of Koelnmesse until the end of June 2020 – including the photokina. This decision is supported by the crisis management team of the City of Cologne, which also recommended in its meeting on 18.03.2020 to cancel the trade fairs during this period of time.

This also happens against the background of the agreement reached on 16.03.2020 between the German federal government and the governments of the German states – laying down common guidelines for dealing with the coronavirus epidemic and explicitly including the general closure of trade fairs and exhibitions. This impairs the planning security for Koelnmesse and the participants of the trade fairs in Cologne far beyond the scope of the current scenarios.

This decision also includes the cancellation of photokina, which was planned for 27 to 30 May 2020. The cancellation is also valid for the Imaging Innovation Conference for 26 May 2020. A new date will be coordinated.

We have also received enquiries from you about health and safety at the trade fair ground. The health of all trade fair participants is our top priority.

Added to this is the uncertainty of numerous customers and the complicated travel situation. Against this background it is currently not possible for us to offer a global business and community platform for the imaging industry in the usual quality.

The next photokina will take place in Cologne 18 to 21 May 2022. The 2022 orientation gives us enough time to design the next photokina according to the needs of the market, our exhibitors and visitors.

All paid tickets will be refunded. Koelnmesse will arrange this centrally in the coming weeks. There is nothing further for you to do.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the photokina team.

Sincerely,

Your photokina team