BildExpo Is Becoming the New Photokina?

Once the most important photography and imaging trade show in the world, Photokina was a legendary fixture for decades—until it vanished. Now, B&H Photo’s BildExpo appears to be filling that void. Initially launched in 2023 to celebrate B&H’s 50th anniversary, this year’s follow-up went well beyond a mere repeat. With a staggering 57,000 registrations, BildExpo 2025 came close to matching NAB’s attendance—and did so in just two days.

As noted by CineD’s Nino Leitner in the Focus Check podcast, the event space was “packed with people,” with creators flooding both the massive, three-times-expanded trade show floor and five simultaneous educational stages. Leitner emphasized the unusually young demographic of attendees—many under 30 and all deeply engaged with the gear, talks, and community experience.

According to PetaPixel’s  report, the show’s layout and curation created something rare: a non-salesy, creator-first atmosphere where educational talks took center stage. Unlike the corporate-heavy tone of some legacy trade shows, BildExpo felt “surprisingly personal and human,” thanks in large part to the energy of the crowd and B&H’s transparent, sponsor-supported model.

What Made BildExpo 2025 Special?
– 250+ exhibitors across a dramatically expanded show floor
– Over 100 live presentations on five parallel stages (filmmaking, photography, content creation, keynote, and more)
– A massive turnout of younger creators, vloggers, filmmakers, and educators
– Completely free admission, with strong support from major sponsors and brands
– A keynote by renowned conservation photographer Cristina Mittermeier, drawing thousands

The event was not only packed—it was in-demand. Sessions were often standing-room-only, with hundreds left waiting outside for the most popular talks. B&H’s decision to lean heavily into education over product pushing paid off: creators came not just to see gear, but to learn how to better use it, build careers, and connect with peers.

The PetaPixel piece also praised the diversity and accessibility of speakers, noting it wasn’t the usual trade show “boys’ club.” The panels showcased a wider mix of voices than ever before, and the sessions were packed with actionable advice rather than product pitches.

Will There Be a BildExpo 2026?
That remains to be confirmed. As Leitner noted, the B&H CEO told attendees at a private dinner: “Ask me again after these two days.” Yet given the turnout, media coverage, sponsor satisfaction, and sheer enthusiasm of the crowd, another edition seems more likely than not.

“They wanted to show they care about creators—and they nailed it,” said Leitner.