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CEPIC in twenty years?
Photo: Bastian Bach
One month ago at the PICTADay in Munich, a long time industry observer, asked me whether CEPIC would still exists in 20 years from now. Since I don't have a crystal-ball, I cannot answer this question with any certainty. But at least, I can say this.
In May 2012, in London, the image industry will, once again, meet for three days. In cooperation with ASMP, IPTC, the WPO (World Photo Organisation), photoarchivenews, ICOMP, Getty Images, the YPA (Young Photgraphers' Alliance) and the support of companies, large and small, such as BING (from Microsoft), Corbis, Rex Features, age fotostock, bikinilists, Bridgeman Art Library, ctk fotobank, HEMIS, ivary, Robert Harding and some more to come, it has been possible again to set up a first class event with worldwide attendance from nearly 300 companies and 34 countries. CEPIC's network, however, is larger than the Congress participants as it includes the national network of CEPIC's National Associations and single Affiliates around the world. This network, in turn, allows CEPIC to be a representative voice of the industry at European level. Within only two years of active lobbying in Brussels, CEPIC has been invited as expert for the picture industry at several hearings organised by the European Commission, has joined a major European funded project, ARROW, and has become part of a number of pro-IPR coalitions.It is a respected and well-established organisation.
This is a lot of work and there is still a lot to do. New business models have emerged, technology is challenging and copyright is being challenged, times are hard for photographers and for individual libraries. Times are harder as when CEPIC was created twenty years ago. Yet - and this will be the answer to the question above: now CEPIC is strong enough to support the industry through these "interresting times" and, with the support of a dedicated Board of directors and targetted efforts, hopefully through the next twenty years.
See you in London!
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