Merriam Webster defines tone-deaf as: "having or showing an obtuse insensitivity or lack of perception, particularly in matters of public sentiment, opinion, or taste." I thought they'd have illustrated the definition with photokina by now.
Buried somewhere deep on their news page, photokina's show runner, Koelnmesse, just provided the following update:
Dear customers and partners of Koelnmesse,
We are currently receiving enquiries about whether a potential threat from the occurrence of the corona virus will have an impact on our Koelnmesse events.
For Koelnmesse’s part, we take this topic seriously, because the health of all trade fair participants is paramount.
For each individual event, we will evaluate the recommendations of the responsible authorities regarding major events and, as before, we will make our decisions after careful consideration. In this respect, preparations for our upcoming events in Cologne are continuing. The preparations for the photokina are continuing as planned according to the current status for the determined date. We look forward to your participation.
We will provide information about sensible prophylactic measures on site. We are increasingly offering disinfectants, which are considered to be the most effective means against transmission. Highly frequented areas will also be cleaned with increased frequency. Qualified doctors and paramedics in our medical stations are prepared for possible suspicious cases and are available to answer any questions you may have on site. Should a suspicious case arise during the event, all spatial and organisational precautions are taken on the trade fair grounds to ensure immediate remedial actions.
You will find further information under https://www.koelnmesse.com/lp/corona-2.php
Cologne, 17.03.2020
With the world reeling from COVID-19, photokina is somehow under the impression that doctors and paramedics looking out for feverish attendees will be enough to make the gathering safe for attendees and for all those that come into contact with attendees after the fact.
Isn't it time to be a good corporate citizen and postpone the fair? If Roland-Garros, Euro 2020, Glastonbury, E3, The Met Gala, and The Kentucky Derby are all being canceled or postponed, isn't it time to let people plan for a different photokina?
Lead image used under Creative Commons license CC0.
Give it one or two more weeks, then it will be cancelled imo. Here in Germany case numbers also go up in exponential fashion so I don't see how such a show will be run in May. Even if the spread is slowed this show would likely be too soon, especially with all the travels involved around it. But lets hope for the best, I don't want to sound too pessimistic ;-)
Pessimism isn't going to get us too far with this! Good attitude.
Not wanting to diss or defend anyone, but imho money also plays into the equation.
If Photokina is being cancelled by health officials, all damage claims now become a matter for the insurance companies involved. No questions asked.
If Koelnmesse is doing the right thing and call Photokina off right now, all bets are off, and who is going to pay for what is now anybody's guess.
It's sad, I know, but sometimes that's the way it is.
Anyway, I side with Michael and hope for the best!
Excellent point!
Which is now solved. Photokina is now cancelled. Thanks to the recommendations of the Cologne government.
Obviously, those responsible have not yet read the federal government's instructions correctly.
It IS cancelled!
Hey there - When this was written and published, it wasn’t. In fact, the had recently confirmed it would be cancelled. Check out - https://fstoppers.com/news/photokina-cancelled-see-you-2022-466299#comme...