Mary Walker Exhibitions have announced that this year's Focus On Imaging show was the last. Originally named Focus on Photography, the event was first organised 24 years ago. Since then, it has grown to be the largest annual photographic trade show in Europe. Commenting on the closure, Mary Walker said: "Focus On Imaging will not be sold - I'm simply bringing it to an end... I am certain that the time is right for the industry to perhaps find fresh opportunitities and bring new ideas to photographers."

Focus On Imaging Press Release

Following a successful and long-running contribution to the photography industry spanning 24 years of the annual Focus On Imaging exhibition - and after more than half a million visitors have enjoyed photography through the Show - Mary Walker Exhibitions would like to announce that the 2013 Focus on Imaging exhibition was the last.

Mary Walker said: "Focus On Imaging will not be sold - I'm simply bringing it to an end." She continued: "It is with great pride that I look upon an amazing period of time in my life, where I continually worked hard to run Focus On Imaging to the absolute best of my ability. I myself, the Show and my committed team have witnessed the phenomenal growth and revolutionary changes that have come to the photographic industry, and I am proud to have offered photographers and manufacturers an opportunity to come together professionally and personally over the years."

Mary said: "There are now so many elements of a photographer's working life that we simply could not have imagined back at the inception of the original 'Focus On Photography' as it was 24 years ago. It's been an immensely rewarding job that has brought experiences and friendships that will always remain. I am certain that the time is right for the industry to perhaps find fresh opportunities and bring new ideas to photographers - maybe we're due a new revolution of some kind?"

Mary is aware that she has a long list of people to thank, concluding: "I would like to offer my thanks to all of the exhibiting companies, large and small - both now and in the history of the Show - for their support; then of course my small team who have helped make everything happen each year; and certainly Focus would never have been the experience that it became without the visitors who walked through its doors. It's been a fantastic journey."

Your Comments