Every year CEPIC brings together picture agencies from all over the world and becomes, for a few days, the Center of the Picture Industry. This year's Congress had over 500 participants from 35 countries and 280 agencies. It was held in the heart of Berlin, a few blocks away from the Brandenburger Tor.
Delegates concentrated on networking and making new business contacts while also attending informative seminars and conferences. Conferences topics included a Client Panel, Video Metadata within the IPTC, Social Media, the latest news on Google Image Search and the Cultural Heritage debate. Also discussed were Rights Data Integration (RDI), the CEPIC Image Finder (CIF) and coming EU legislation related to photography.
Full video coverage for the CEPIC Congress with interviews and seminars is available in the CEPIC YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/CEPICCONGRESS
The annual industry party organized for all delegates took place at the Kalkscheune, a wonderful location just a few streets away from the Congress Center with a beautiful central court, making it possible to enjoy the wonderful weather we had in the German capital. A live band contributed to a relaxing atmosphere, greatly appreciated by delegates, involved in continuing to build their yearlong relationships. As part of any good stay in Berlin, CEPIC made sure that participants also had the opportunity to discover the city with tours and tickets for museums made available, thanks to its Sponsors and Partners.
The Sponsors and Partners of the Congress included BING, images.de, ksp, dpa-picture alliance, age fotostock, la collection, news aktuell, epa, reeldealhd, blitzbude, bpk, ctk fotobank, BVPA, hemis, IPTC, ICOMP, RDI.
The location for next year's CEPIC congress is being surveyed among participants. Soon one of the three cities offered will be announced, nonetheless this hasn't stopped 31 companies from already booking tables for 2015 as they are confident that wherever our industry chooses to gather it will be an important event to attend.