Business Forum Imaging Cologne 2012 with premieres

The first day will kick off with a premiere: the U.S. design studio Artefact will be presenting the revolutionary WVIL camera concept in Europe for the first time. The Wireless Viewfinder Interchangeable Lens combines the advantages of digital system cameras with the capabilities of mobile communications. It’s based on an open software platform, so that the camera can be adapted to meet new requirements at any time by means of apps.

Additional presentations will cover the influence of social media, digital networks and mobile communication, which is expressed in the motto of the Business Forum Imaging Cologne, “Memories are more…INTERACTIVE”. The speakers will include representatives of traditional photographic companies such as Eastman Kodak and Fujifilm, as well as Internet specialists such as Blurb and Yahoo! Even the logistics company Deutsche Post DHL will present an interesting concept for converting Facebook experiences into a real book. The U.S. specialist Alexandra Gebhardt from Inside Media Networks, New York, will look at how successful online applications and innovative digital imaging products can provide opportunities for photographic dealers and imaging service providers. The latest sales trends for cameras, smartphones etc. will be presented by GfK Retail and Technology and its U.S. partner company, The NPD Group.

The second day of the Business Forum Imaging Cologne 2012 will focus on the photographic trade. The English-language conference programme (with simultaneous translation into German) is complemented by some German-language presentations (with simultaneous translation into English). The 17-year-old shooting star Philipp Riederle will kick off with his presentation “Meine Erinnerungen und ich” (My Memories and Me) — his lively report on how the “Facebook generation” experiences images, captures important moments, and communicates by means of photos and videos. Philipp’s podcast “Mein iPhone und ich” (My iPhone and Me), which has been published for three years, is downloaded about a million times per year and regularly tops the charts on iTunes. In fact, the youngster frequently explains to the management of major corporations just how the young people of today use digital media. At the photokina event, the young entrepreneur will also talk about the kinds of offerings his generation expects from the photographic trade and providers of imaging services.

Another highlight of the Business Forum Imaging Cologne 2012 will be a panel discussion under the provocative title “How can photographic retailering get ‘cool’?” Here leading photo dealers, suppliers and independent experts will discuss concepts such as how the specialist trade can appeal to new target groups.

How innovative, personalized image products and targeted marketing strategies can succeed will be shown by Tommy Bacherle of dm drogerie-markt, Europe’s largest retailer of imaging services and photographic products. Simon Faulkner of the digital company Eye-Fi will present a comprehensive concept of how consumers can capture, save and share their memories and how they can design imaging products. Dr. Hans-H. Graen, CEO of F&G Digitalspezialist, will follow with a presentation on how digital sales can also be made with old pictures.

In addition to the presentations, the Gold and Silver Sponsors (Cewe Color, Kodak, di support, Ecce Terram, Eye-Fi, Felix Schoeller, Fujifilm, Imaging Solutions, Manfrotto, Taopix and Tetenal) will be presenting their current products and services in a network zone.

On the evening of 29th February, photokina invites all participants to the Theater Tanzbrunnen near the exhibition centre, where they will find good food and sophisticated drinks along with ample opportunities for discussion and networking.

The Business Forum Imaging Cologne 2012 is presented by photokina and supported by the Photoindustrie-Verband (Photographic Industry Association) and the market research company GfK Retail and Technology. The congress is once again being organized by the global rade magazine INTERNATIONAL CONTACT, and the international information service Photo Imaging News, USA.

You can find the complete programme of the Business Forum Imaging Cologne 2012 and all of the details concerning registration online at www.bfi-photokina.com.