Photokina 2014: A look at the future of the industry

A look at the future of the industry

International imaging industry top management discusses industry’s future at traditional International Imaging Industry Summit in Flora park on eve of photokina 2014

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Golden photokina pin for Masaya Maeda

International photographic and imaging industry top management met on the eve of photokina 2014 in Cologne’s Flora park for the traditional International Imaging Industry Summit. The representatives of all the important companies in the industry used the opportunity to discuss the industry’s future. In his welcoming address, Cologne’s Lord Mayor and Chairman of Koelnmesse’s Supervisory Board Jürgen Roters, pointed out how dynamically the photographic and imaging sector had developed and just how rapidly the industry’s breadth was widening.

Roters continued “photokina’s 2014’s role here is that of an industry trendsetter with the goal of actively driving the development of the market.” In his speech, the keynote speaker for the evening, Germany’s most innovative futurologist and founder of think tank 2b AHEAD, Sven Gábor Jánszky, offered the management audience a brief insight into the industry’s future from his perspective. “Images are playing an ever larger role in consumers’ lives. “This”, said Jánszky, “is the challenge, but at the same time the huge opportunity facing the industry”. His conclusion: “In order to exploit these major business opportunities arising from the change the industry is undergoing, the established players need to take leave of entrenched linear corporate and cultural structures and rely on the logic of the entrepreneur and start-up. Innovation no longer means optimising and improving products. Nowadays innovation means: industry is required to attack its own outmoded business models…”

Cologne’s Lord Mayor also used the event to award Masaya Maeda, Senior Managing Director and Chief Executive, Image Communications Products Operations, Canon Inc. the golden photokina pin in recognition of his services both to photokina and the entire imaging industry. In his eulogy, Robters praised Masaya Maeda’s special commitment to the imaging industry. He had always dedicated himself to introducing the subject of imaging to a wide audience, thereby making an important contribution over many years to photokina’s success. The golden photokina pin has been awarded since the early Fifties to prominent individuals from the economic, scientific and political world for meritorious service.

Koelnmesse GmbH
For 90 years, Koelnmesse has been bringing people and markets together. The success story of Cologne trade fairs began in 1924 with the opening of the first event on the exhibition grounds in Cologne-Deutz. During the “economic miracle” of the post-World War II era, the “Rheinische Messe” became a global trading center. Today Koelnmesse has the world’s fifth-largest exhibition complex and organizes approximately 75 trade fairs in Cologne and all over the world. During its anniversary year of 2014, Koelnmesse is bringing its history to the public’s attention through numerous activities, publications, and exhibitions.

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