The Imaging World show will move to Cologne in 2027, and it will be “inspired by Photokina”:
Imaging World is moving to Cologne. Starting 2027, the festival for photography, video and content creation will take place at Koelnmesse under the name “Imaging World inspired by photokina”. RINGFOTO and Koelnmesse announced the change of venue today during the TIPA World Awards Ceremony at Imaging World 2026 in Nuremberg. The event brings together technology for hands-on testing, creative practice and personal exchange within the imaging industry.
Following this year’s edition in Nuremberg, the new event will make its debut at Koelnmesse from 24 to 26 September 2027. Having assumed responsibility for organising the event from 2027 onwards, Koelnmesse will leverage its international trade fair expertise and network to further develop “Imaging World inspired by photokina” as a key platform for photography, video and content creation. RINGFOTO will remain closely involved as a key partner, contributing its market knowledge, its network across the industry and specialist retail, as well as established elements of the event’s existing concept. Together, the partners aim to further develop the format in close alignment with the market and progressively increase its visibility.
“With Imaging World inspired by photokina, we are bringing a well-established event format with a clear profile and a highly engaged community to Cologne,” says Oliver Frese, Chief Operating Officer of Koelnmesse. “Together with RINGFOTO, we aim to preserve these strengths while developing them further in a targeted way. We will also draw on Koelnmesse’s extensive expertise in imaging and the international industry contacts it has built up over decades through photokina. Cologne offers excellent conditions for this, with its trade fair infrastructure, international accessibility and strong media and creative environment.”
“Over the past two years, Imaging World has shown just how great the interest is in a place where products are not only presented, but can be experienced and tried out directly,” adds Thilo Röhrig, Managing Director of RINGFOTO. “After two successful editions in Nuremberg, Imaging World is ready for the next step. We want to continue this combination of technology, practical experience, inspiration and personal exchange in Cologne. In particular, we intend to further develop our concept, which combines a traditional trade fair exhibition with modern, interactive play areas and an extensive programme of workshops and seminars. RINGFOTO will remain an active partner for industry, specialist retail and the community.”
A proven format with a new perspective
Imaging World inspired by photokina brings together product experience, creative practice, community and business. Visitors can discover new products, try out equipment directly, take part in workshops and live formats, and exchange ideas with manufacturers, retailers, professional users and creatives. Enthusiast photographers will also have the opportunity to test new technology in real-world conditions and develop their creative and technical skills.
Photography remains a core component of the event. At the same time, video, audio, lighting, software, printing, smartphone applications and technologies for content production already form part of its established range of topics. This broad offering will be further expanded in Cologne.
For manufacturers, distributors and brands, Imaging World inspired by photokina combines dialogue with the specialist retail trade and direct contact with professional users, ambitious consumers and content creators.
Imaging expertise with a global reach
With the addition “inspired by photokina”, Imaging World draws on the longstanding imaging expertise and international industry contacts associated with Cologne as a trade fair location. For decades, photokina helped establish Cologne as an important meeting place for the international photography and imaging industry. Imaging World is not a revival of photokina; it remains an independent format that builds on the location’s imaging tradition while bringing new, contemporary content.
This experience and network will feed into the further development of Imaging World inspired by photokina, which will continue its proven mix of trade fair, product experience, community and business together with RINGFOTO.
