Camera giant Canon has pulled out of the UK’s biggest consumer photo show, Focus on Imaging, less than a fortnight before the event is due to start.
A Canon UK spokesperson said: ‘We are currently reviewing our marketing strategy and it is unfortunate that this decision falls just ahead of Focus on Imaging’.
It is not clear whether Canon will release an official statement to fully explain its sudden decision.
Canon and Nikon, which is still exhibiting at Focus, dominate the market for interchangeable lens cameras – a core product for many of the photographers visiting the show.
A spokesman for Focus insisted that Canon’s large, now vacant, exhibition space will be filled by other exhibitors.
The Focus spokesman said he had not been given a reason for the decision.
He added that Canon had yet to complete all the paperwork necessary for booking a stand at the show.
Tens of thousands of amateur and professional photographers are set to converge on the Birmingham NEC for the annual show which takes place from 6-9 March.
Major camera, lens and accessory makers will rub shoulders with software makers and photo dealers.
Canon – the main sponsor of London Fashion Week – was set to use this year’s Focus to showcase its recently announced EOS 600D and EOS 1100D DSLRs.
Amateur Photographer understands that Canon was planning to attend Focus as recently as last Thursday when a Canon Europe representative said he was keen to meet magazine staff at the show.
It seems that Canon decided to pull out of Focus less than 24 hours later, following a review of its marketing spending during talks held with key staff on Friday 18 February.
The company made its change of plan public this morning.
Canon’s name has been removed from the exhibitor list on the Focus on Imaging website.
Last year?s show pulled in more than 37,000 visitors.
The Canon spokeswoman pointed out that the firm’s products will still be available to buy at the show via retailers including Jacobs, Calumet and Cameraworld.
Meanwhile, Pentax recently confirmed that it will return to the Focus on Imaging show for the first time in six years.
? Amateur Photographer also understands that Canon UK has no current plans to send its key representatives to the Photo Marketing Association show, due to take place in the United States later this year. However, as of last week, a final decision had not yet been made
The EOS 600D was among the kit due to go on display at Focus on Imaging which runs from 6-9 March
