By MKPE ABANG
It is not called the world’s #1 trading event for consumer and home electronics for nothing. Thus, living up to its fame, and like previous edition, the IFA Consumer Electronics Unlimited 2016 show is recording increasingly high demand for space from returning and new exhibitors even as organisers work tirelessly to meet such high demand and still maintain the highest standards the event is renowned for.
Organisers of the event, Gesellschaft für Unterhaltungs- und Kommunikationselektronik, gfu mbH (or gfu, for short) and Messe Berlin heartily announced that exhibitor demand for IFA 2016 “is undiminished,” even as they clearly stated that the event was already “fully booked,” and this is coming four months before the trade show opens in Berlin, Germany. “The world’s leading trade show for consumer electronics and home appliances will be growing once more,” the announced.
Addressing tech journalists, analysts, industry enthusiasts and other key stakeholders at the IFA Global Press Conference, now in its 10th year, this time holding in Hong Kong, the Chairman of the Supervisory Board at gfu Consumer & Home Electronics GmbH, Dr. Hans-Joachim Kamp explained:
“Successful markets thrive on innovation, and innovations have held the centre stage at IFA Berlin for more than 90 years. This is because IFA is the ideal platform for all manufacturers of consumer and home electronics to present their latest products in the run-up to Christmas, the busiest time of the year when it comes to sales. The course has already been set for success at IFA 2016.
“As the world’s leading trade show for consumer and home electronics and a very important trade event, the show is set to give the markets a fresh impetus.”
Speaking on IFA’s expanding profile, Dr. Christian Göke, CEO of Messe Berlin, stated that “At IFA 2016 for the very first time we will be opening up an additional exhibition space outside of the exhibition grounds. The concept of the IFA Global Markets space further underscores IFA’s core focus: efficiently and successfully bringing together both industry and trade representatives.
Giving further details on the expansion taking place at the event, Dr. Göke added that “for the first time at IFA 2016, there will be an IFA Global Markets section that will take place in parallel to the main event,” saying the “IFA Global Markets is aimed at trade visitors, thus providing buyers and sellers with a central trading centre. The 10,000 square meters of exhibition space brings together IFA’s suppliers, component manufacturers, OEMs and ODMs and their potential customers and partners from the CE and HA sectors.
“Success here relies on an excellent design of the IFA International Halls. International group organisers will have another opportunity to position their latest products and technologies here in an exclusive setting. Partner Rising Media will be organising a convention and exhibition area on the topics of 3D printing and robotics.
“The familiar IFA Trade Visitor Services will also be available at Station Berlin, including a complementary lunch for all trade visitors. Station Berlin is just 20 minutes from the exhibition grounds and can easily be reached via the IFA shuttle buses and local public transport connections. IFA Global Markets will only be open on four days, from the Sunday of IFA (4 September) through to Wednesday (6 September).”
Echoing the increasing and sustained of IFA, Dr. Jürgen Boyny, Global Director Consumer Electronics, GfK Retail and Technology, explains current market developments:
“A clear trend in 2016 is the rise of connected devices in the world of consumers. Assuming continued global growth in demand for smartphones of +7 %, one can anticipate video and audio devices, as well as large and small electrical appliances, to be connected to one another either directly or via the internet. This connectivity enables completely new and innovative applications, such as smart homes, health and fitness tracking, or mobile payments. Consumers are only just starting to discover the Internet of Things.”
The IFA 2016 show runs from September 2 – 7, on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds (Expo Centre City.
IFA as Global Event
As a global IFA event, Consumer Electronics China (an IFA event) is a welcome addition to Messe Berlin’s portfolio for the Chinese market, and its opening event coincided with the annual IFA Global Press Conference (GPC), now in its 10th year. The IFA Global Press Conference is taking place outside of Europe for the first time – in Hong Kong and Shenzhen with more than 300 media representatives from more than 50 countries attending.
The trade show, CE China, will take place from 20th to 22nd April at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Centre, where it is offering Chinese and global brand manufacturers the opportunity to present their latest products and services to consumers and distributors.
Key partners of CE China include the Shenzhen Municipal Government, top Chinese distributors such as Suning and Alibaba, and IDG – China’s leading media group. Trade delegations from Europe, Japan and Korea, such as Rakuten, Hi-Mart, Euronics International and Expert International are supporting CE China and their representatives will be at the event.
IFA Keynotes: a spectacular start
Prominent international decision-makers from the consumer electronics and home appliances sectors and related industries are sharing their personal visions regarding the event as well as the industry.
This year’s IFA Keynotes will be opened by Dr. Karsten Ottenberg, CEO, BSH Hausgeraete GmbH. In his IFA Opening Keynote on September 2nd Dr. Ottenberg will provide insights into the company’s latest visions and strategies surrounding the “Consumer Experience in the Connected Kitchen”.
A second keynote speaker on September 3rd is Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Managers at Daimler AG and Head of the Mercedes-Benz Cars Division.
Industry trends
In time for the most important time of the year for sales, IFA offers a comprehensive overview of the latest innovations and world firsts: Screens for fascinating HDR images, movies for the new UHD Blu-ray discs, 3D sound, and unlimited music offerings from streaming portals. Goggles and cameras for virtual reality applications and superfast 3D scanners and printers are the latest growth markets. Smart networks offer security, comfort, time savings and energy efficiency. Sensors for sports and leisure and domestic appliances and tools to produce vitamin-rich and nutritious meals support people in maintaining fitness and a healthy lifestyle.