After its success in recent years IFA continues to build on its leading role within the international retail trade, industry and the media. Europe is the world’s largest market for consumer electronics and home appliances digitalization 2.0, networking, 3D TV and eMedia – year-end boom in sales. IFA, the world’s number one, continues to expand. In 2011 its organizers, gfu und Messe Berlin, anticipate growth once again in all areas of the show. Jürgen Boyny (photo), Global Director Consumer Electronics, GfK: "IFA presents retailers worldwide with all the global leaders’ innovations at exactly the right time, as the end-of-year phase kicks off, thus driving forward dynamic year-end business."
Consumer electronics and home appliances manufacturers bring their innovative products to market with great speed. Dr. Rainer Hecker, the chairman of the supervisory board of Gesellschaft für Unterhaltungs- und Kommunikationselektronik (gfu), the organizers of IFA: "After a brief downturn due to the global financial crisis the markets are recovering again. We expect that positive retailer and consumer demand will once again generate a high volume of business at the show. In 2011 IFA will fulfil its role as the world’s largest and most important trade show for doing business and for the consumer."
High number of bookings
In terms of growth the anniversary edition of IFA was a huge success. Dr. Christian Göke, COO Messe Berlin: "The number of bookings already received for IFA 2011 is impressive. This year we will again be setting up a temporary hall to accommodate all the exhibitors."
IFA iZone and IFA eLibrary
Following the successful debut of the IFA iZone and IFA eLibrary these two sections are also expected to grow at IFA 2011. The market impact of iPad and iPhone products and the numerous applications for this family of devices is increasing all time, so that the IFA iZone will be a major attraction for trade visitors and the general public.
The media world surrounding eBooks and tablet PCs will be represented at the IFA eLibrary. Device manufacturers, media companies and publishers will be presenting their entire range of products in this section. Jens Heithecker, the director of IFA: "Following the outstanding success of the two new special shows at 2010 we are taking this concept a stage further at IFA 2011 in order to match the market and innovation dynamics."
IFA TecWatch
At IFA TecWatch public and industry research facilities, universities, joint projects and internationally recognised standards institutions will be presenting their latest developments for the markets of tomorrow. For the first time this display section will be located in a larger area in Hall 11.1. Thus the results of research exploring innovation in every product section represented at IFA will span a bridge between the present and the future of consumer electronics and home appliances.
Industry trends
Due to the rapid pace of innovations the consumer electronics industry is constantly setting new standards. The merging of television with the internet, media and devices in 3D and HD, the massive upsurge in sales of tablet PCs, apps and smartphones, as well as networking for the home and for people on the move are setting the trends in 2011. The world’s most important trade show for consumer electronics, IFA in Berlin, is presenting the entire range of innovations from every branch of the industry.
The home appliance industry for the fourth year integrated into IFA – and innovations by the industry continue to deliver exciting advances in comfort, lifestyle, wellness and health at home. New products feature intelligent technologies, connections to the Internet, Smart Grid solutions, and excellent ease of use. Outstanding design is important. And modern appliances that use water and energy efficiently decrease the consumption of resources at the same time they improve performance and comfort.
