The PhotoPlus Expo Rebrands as Create NYC, Relocates to Brooklyn

Following two straight cancelations of its annual trade show, PhotoPlus has rebranded as Create NYC and is moving from the Javits Center to the Duggal Greenhouse in Brooklyn.

PhotoPlus, which is owned and operated by Emerald X which also owns Rangefinder, WPPI, and The Portrait Masters, is billing the change to Create NYC as a transformation into a new style of in-person event that is designed to celebrate visual storytellers across all platforms. The event’s branding is clearly tailored at a young audience and the organization says that the goal is to create a space for “shared experiences” that “inspires dialogue for change and blurs the lines between art and cultural relevance.”

“Create NYC puts education and experience first, featuring a main stage of dynamic speakers who will strike meaningful conversations about the impact of imagery on society,” the organization explains.

“Additionally, the event will offer attendees the opportunity for intimate educational moments through creator walks, sessions, and lab-style workshops — all known as Creator Experiences led by engaging visual creatives, including photographers, filmmakers, editors, artists, and more.”

The three-day event is a major tone shift from what PhotoPlus has been for well over a decade. In the past, Emerald X has said that PhotoPlus has played host to thousands of annual visitors from over 70 countries and featured hundreds of imaging industry sponsors and attendees.

“The decision to reimagine PhotoPlus into Create NYC was in response to demand from a rapidly growing emerging creator community,” Joseph Kowalsky, the Create NYC Show Director, says.

“The definition of an imaging professional and visual storyteller has broadened. Create NYC aims to be the home for all using imaging technology to create stories that trigger emotion and impact society.”

Create NYC promises that the event will host over 300 “intimate creative experiences” as well as bring together “industry-leading educators” in small groups. These educators will cover topics that range from brand building to editing, to marketing. Create NYC is currently seeking creators to lead photo walks and main stage presentations on topics that may include portraiture, lighting, filmmaking, posing, street photography, photojournalism, fashion, still life, and food photography.

Tickets for Create NYC, which will take place between September 29 and October 1, will be available starting June 13 and, unlike with PhotoPlus, quantities will be limited.

Update 5/10: Corrected an error regarding the dates for Create NYC.