Canon pulls out of Focus On Imaging
Image courtesy of Focus on Imaging.
In a shock announcement, Canon has decided to pull out of the UK's largest trade show - Focus on Imaging - two weeks before its start, the firm confirms to BJP
Author: Olivier Laurent
21 Feb 2011 Tags: Focus on imaging
"We have been reviewing our marketing activities for the year, and that's include Focus On Imaging," a spokeswoman for Canon tells BJP. "Unfortunately, decision has been made not to attend the show this year."
The spokeswoman adds that all retailers, as well as Mary Walker, the trade show's owner and organiser, had been involved in the discussion over the past few weeks.
Up until last week, Canon had planned to attend the show. It remains unclear what happened since then. A spokesman for the trade show said that Canon had not given a reason for pulling out at the last minute.
However, the organisers say that the large space that Canon was supposed to occupy will be filled by 06 March, when the show opens in Birmingham's NEC. "Canon had a major stand booked but visitors can be assured that by the time the show opens on Sunday March 6th the space will be filled and Focus will be just as much a magnet for everyone involved in imaging, at whatever level, as it always is," a Focus spokesman tells BJP. In fact, it appears that Panasonic will now occupy Canon's space, leading to the creation of a much larger "seating area" at the back of Hall 10, where Panasonic had its stand in 2010.
Canon also tells BJP that its retailers - Calumet, Firstcamera, Cameraworld, Jacobs and others - will be attending the show, offering their usualy discounts on Canon cameras, lenses and accessories.
Last year, Canon had one of the show's biggest stands with 30 employees available to demonstrate Canon's latest products. This year, the firm was expected to showcase its EOS 600D camera, which it announced in early February.
Two years ago, Canon launched its own trade show, held in London in late October. The Canon Pro Photo Solutions Show brings together third-party retailers, distributors and manufacturers around Canon's products.
For more information about Focus On Imaging, visit www.focus-on-imaging.co.uk.
Comments
As an exhibitor at the show, with our stand booked to be next to Canon (and the main entrance) it is hoped that this will not be a big loss to the draw of the event.
Fingers crossed it is still an amazing show and we hope to see everyone there!
http://www.halfpricegraduationphotos.com/
This does not surprise me at all. The cost for participate in these kind of shows has become a burden not only for Canon, and since they are well exposed to the public (who know their products very well already)through dealers ,why should they?
Instead they are focusing on being present at professional events like FEP 2011 in Lyon and WPPI in Las Vegas which pays much better off.
Disappointing news for existing and prospective customers. Thanks Canon, I was hoping to look att your new long teles.
I agree with Tor Weatherstone's comment and also as it said in the article Calumet and the likes will be there and stock Canon products...
In truth Focus is a bit of a geek fest anyway I wonder besides launching new products what real use does the show have...?
I also wont be attending, I'd rather make better use of my time and money to further my career.
Controversial comment I know I may well now be in for a lot of criticism now!
Oh dear, if a company the size of Canon is pulling out of such a major show, it is surely an indication of how badly the recession is hitting not just us as photographers, but major players like Canon, surely this is a showcase event for them, very strange decision.
www.cooperphotos.co.uk
Manchester Photographer Paul Cooper.
Canon have probably gained more publicity from not attending than they would be going along and spending many thousands of pounds.
Being cynical I would say that it has been a sound marketing decision.
In the long run does it matter? I for one will not be going to Focus to stand around the stands of large producers who don't care whether I exist. I shall be using my time far more constructively, seeing potential suppliers that I would not normally be able to have good contact with. That and a look see to find out what is new. If I want to play with a new camera I will go to my local dealer!!
I'm still attending. Makes no difference
to me, if Canon are there or not. I've just had a brilliant 6 months......What recession? See you at the NEC visiting Nikon and PhaseOne.
www.kedwards.co.uk
Even though, like all Nikon Pro's, I own a few thound pounds worth of Nikon kit, I know I am a drop in the ocean for Nikon. But seeing Nikon at Focus shows they care about the Nikon Pro's, individualy and en-masse. I feel sorry for Canon owners. They have have spent just as much as us, but they have been deserted by their manufacturer. I wonder how that makes them feel!
Canon pulling out of Focus at this late stage reflects their lack of genuine interest in promoting their products to the wider imaging market. On the printer side, it underlines why Epson are (and will continue to be) the market leader in this space as they continue to support Focus on Imaging and large format printer dealers such as ourselves. With Canon not showing at Focus, Epson and DPS will have even less reason to be worried about the competition. Great news!
Well put David. I have spent thousands on Canon stuff in the past few years, last year they decided I wasn't pro enough to be a member of CPS as my 2nd body was too old.
My main body is a 1ds mk3, thanks Canon..(looking at the D3 in envy, when will Canon realise we want a full frame 8fps??)
Well I suspect that Canon cannot take the heat of the complaints for customers about their service. My pro 9000 had three faults before I put it in the bin as a bad job, for some reason Canon expected me to pay £120 on cartridges to demonstrate the printer printed a couple of sheets before going off and emptying them.
In the US Canon are making it increasingly difficult for independent photo dealers to do business. Payment up front and margins of less than 5%. They are also pulling out of photo trade shows and are more mass merchant centric. As well as that they are ramping up to selling direct to the consumer. Pity because they have a great product that was serviced well at retail. I always thought that the Japanese were very honorable but I think that decisions are made by the locals.
I'm rather annoyed to hear the news that one of the biggest camera manufacturers is pulling out of Focus. I have been a Canon man for nigh on 20 years, and was so looking forward to visiting their stand, this being my first ever trip to any sort of trade show.
Personally, I think that Canon are ignoring their clients, thinking they are too big to attend. Shame on you.
I wouldnt be surprised if a great number of Canon owners "Jump Ship" it would serve them right.
COME ON CANON, ATTEND THE SHOW. MAKE EVERYONE HAPPY!!!!
I am not surprised Canon aren't wasting their time this year. They now have their own Canon Pro show, which I may add, was very good.
I also agree with Chris, Focus is being over run by "Uncle Bob" rather than professional photographers.
If people are sad enough to switch brands over them not attending the show then that is their loss. Imaging is moving on and I think Canon is again leading the way......
I wonder if it has anything to do with the Focus advert featuring a chimp using a Canon camera.
It's certainly caused a laugh amongst the users of different brands across the internet.
Some comments here from wimping canon owners (threating to turn to other manufacturers) tells more about them than Canon.
Actually you will be able to see all the stuff from Canon at the shelves of the retailers taking part in the show anyway, so why complain?
I rather see Canon putting their money into developing more top quality photo products than wasting them on a costly booth in a show which will not give any big "aha's" anyway. I think it was a wise decision which in the long run will prove to pay off.
A Great Marketing ploy by Canon maybe ?
Who ever looks after marketing at canon knows what they are doing - or on the other hand may be in trouble for this mistake. I have used Canon equipment forever and I don't think they need to advertise to pro's any more. We know how good their kit is. They have left it very late to make this public.
www.pureprintstraining.com
I was geared uo and ready to question and try out their 70-200mm F2.8 IS II and F4 IS lenses on my 1D MK4 before deciding on which one I should buy. Also thinking about another camera body.
The other exhibitors are resellers therefore making it very difficult or next to impossible to try out any of Canon lenses properly. I know this for a fact because I went last year and Canon were the only ones who helped me decide on buying three L lenses.
So for me there is no point in going anymore.
I do feel let down by Canons decision to walk away from the show.
...is Canon in trouble? I suspect probably not, but all the same, this is not a good sign. This is the kind of announcement that one would expect a good few months ahead of the game, not upon the actual eve, so you can only suspect! Not good Canon. As one of your users, I feel rather let down. Look forward to talking to Nikon.
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