After many years, the CEPIC Congress moves again to Eastern Europe: Prague and Budapest already proofed to be excellent venues for CEPIC delegates who come together from all places of the world for their business and to keep themselves up-to-date about the latest developments in the picture industry. It is not only the unique business atmosphere but also the cultural values of each congress city that attracts CEPIC delegates each year. The congresses have been held in different venues such as congress hotels, football stadiums or riverside exhibition centers and situated in walking distance to cultural attractions.
Although almost completely destroyed during the Second World War, Warsaw offers its visitors a mixture of architectural styles that documents the different political and historical changes within the country and Europe. The post war architecture as well as numerous restorations which include parks have revived the city space: Today, modern multistory buildings share the urban space with the old medieval city center which lies in relative proximity to impressive gothic, renaissance, baroque and art nouveau houses linked by the socialist architecture including the symbol of the socialist city, the Palace of Culture and Science. Warsaw is an important urban space of cultural memory which is not only easily accessible via plane but also through an excellent and affordable train connection.
The CEPIC Congress will be held in the Sofitel Warsaw Victoria Hotel, a five star hotel in the heart of the city: It is only 5 minutes in walking distance to the restored historical city center with a number of cafes, restaurants and shopping facilities.
For interested member agencies, the CEPIC Congress starts with the Annual General Meeting on the 3rd of June at 2 p.m. In the evening, the Welcome Reception with drinks & snacks holds the first possibility to meet old and new faces of the industry.
As usual, the Congress Programme has it all! Seminars and Workshops keep you up-to-date about the issues and developments of the industry: The Metadata Conference will bring together a team of rights and software experts on the subject of how quality metadata improves business. The Cultural Heritage Seminar informs on traditional licensing in the Creative Commons Landscape. The Google Images Act II Workshop holds relevant information on the influence of the picture industry. Last but not least, the technology seminar presents an overview on image identification and identifiers.
The Table Area – booked by roughly 90 agencies and companies – as well as the Business Rooms offer possibilities to find out about new businesses and to re-connect with old partner and to make new cooperation.
This year, a number of Pitch Presentations are part of the program. Agencies will make the most of 15 minutes in order to present their business (ideas), to reply to your questions and to trigger new debates.
For the first time, the CEPIC Stock Photography Awards will be announced in cooperation with the Polish agency East News Photo. The major purpose of the awards is to support traditional stock photography and defend the right of a fair compensation to photographers for their work. The awards also promote open and collaborative relationship between photo libraries and photographers. You may still enter the competition until the 10th of May 2015. During the Annual Industry Parts, a jury of industry professionals will award the winners: 1st prize 3000 €, 2nd prize 1500 € and 3rd prize 500 €.
Further information on the CEPIC Congress 2015 can be found on the CEPIC website.
