News

IFA 2009: Full order books and halls packed with visitors (30/9/2009)

Double-digit increases among dealers and visitors - Federal Chancellor Merkel: IFA provides the driving force for the entire economy during times of crisis - Orders worth over three billion euros - Attendance at IFA exceeds 228,000

The volume of orders confirms that the organisers were right: exhibitors' expectations have again been exceeded. More than 3 billion euros worth of orders were generated at this year's IFA, surpassing the record set in 2008. At the opening of the fair Federal Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel described IFA as the driving force for the entire economy during times of crisis.

"The IFA's concept proved a complete success this year - and was reflected in a more international dimension, increased numbers of visitors and the response in the media. Ordering is becoming an almost continuous process at IFA, providing dealers and manufacturers with a more reliable basis for their planning and better opportunities for successful business", confirmed Dr. Rainer Hecker, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the organisers, Gesellschaft für Unterhaltungs- und Kommunikationselektronik (gfu).

There has been a significant increase in the attendance by trade visitors to a total of 119,000 ( + 14 %) of them 225.000 (about 20%) from abroad. "Once again we received confirmation that we occupy an outstanding position in the world for the various industries involved. As the trade fair with the most product premieres we have been able to strengthen the international position of IFA even further", explained Dr. Christian Göke, COO of Messe Berlin.

Dr. Reinhard Zinkann, Chairman of the trade association Fachverband Elektrohausgeräte im ZVEI: "We are very satisfied with events at the fair, and our expectations have been more than met. Without exception exhibitors are reporting a very good level of orders. We had more visitors than we did last year, and we are particularly pleased with the presence of more dealers from abroad.

IFA has thus consolidated its position as the world's leading trade fair for the consumer electronics sector. I am firmly convinced that the manufacturers of home appliances will be returning next year and that, as a consequence, white goods will be a major attraction for visitors again in 2010.

A total of some 228,600 visitors (+ 8 %) came to the Berlin Exhibition Grounds to find out about the latest products making their debut at IFA. The outstanding programme of entertainment in the Summer Garden again delighted many trade visitors and members of the public. The organisers, gfu and Messe Berlin, are both positive in their assessments of the 49th IFA. "We begin our preparations for the 50th IFA in 2010 with confidence, and will be focusing on the continued development of those factors which have made this international trade fair such a success", stated Dr. Rainer Hecker.

A total of 1,164 exhibitors occupied 121,000 square metres to display their innovations and product premieres from the sectors of consumer electronics and electrical home appliances at IFA 2009. Products ranged from giant flat screen HD televisions with even clearer pictures, to 3D prototypes, tiny mobile phones with built-in TV receivers, mobile video players and wireless systems for carrying signals in the home, as well as high performance note-book and netbook computers, navigation systems and smart-phones, and complete home cinema systems, covering every aspect of entertainment and communication.

The manufacturers of home appliances presented their innovations in seven halls. Ecology and, in particular, energy efficiency were among the main themes at IFA. The latest domestic appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers and refrigerators make very economical use of resources such as electricity and water, thereby helping consumers to save money. Compared with ten-year old appliances the savings are between 30 and 50 per cent, accompanied by substantially improved performance characteristics and much simpler controls.

Medium-sized brand name manufacturers of small home appliances were represented for the first time at IFA. "It was well worth our while to come to Berlin, IFA is an ideal platform for presenting lifestyle products. The response was excellent", was the assessment by Georg Walkenbach, Chairman of the Small Appliance Division of ZVEI. "We are really looking forward to IFA 2010."

Whereas in Germany the markets for consumer electronics and home appliances have stood up well in the face of the economic and financial crisis, many other European countries have reported declining sales. "In Germany we continue to expect consumption to benefit from a positive situation in both sectors over the whole of 2009, with very good business in the run-up to Christmas.

On a European level we are expecting the markets to recover, with corresponding improved results for the whole of 2009. IFA has given a significant impetus to international markets", according to Hans-Joachim Kamp, Chairman of the Consumer Electronics Division of the ZVEI and Vice President of the ZVEI.

Media event of the year

In addition to an astonishing level of worldwide TV coverage, numerous radio stations, newspapers, trade magazines and internet platforms reported directly from IFA 2009.

The presence of 6,219 media representatives from 78 countries meant that IFA was once again the focus of international media interest. For the first time journalists from Algeria, Indonesia, Malawi, Pakistan and Venezuela attended IFA. "We are delighted that the media presence was even more international," commented Jens Heithecker, IFA Director.

Varied programme of entertainment

In addition to the many technical innovations on display, there was also some outstanding entertainment this year. IFA delighted a wide audience with a tremendous programme comprising more than 150 events. The wide range of events encompassed inter-nationally known artists such as Amy Macdonald as well as sporting celebrities, and included culinary delights too.

The singers and entertainers on the stage in the Summer Garden at IFA included Roland Kaiser, Mark Medlock, Party Shakers, Oliver Thomas, Nevio, Tony Henry, StampingFeet, Maite Kelly, Mars, YeoMen, Linda Teodosius and Udo Walz.

IFA TecWatch: Experience what is coming next

TecWatch, the IFA platform for technology and innovation, presented exciting prospects for new markets, as well as ideas and solutions for the media, communication, simplified controls and the lifestyle of tomorrow. The new TecWatch concept enabled public sector and industrial research establishments, universities, project groups, standardisation organisations and industry to present advanced developments and, for the first time, research findings from the home appliance sector were also included. Material and events tailored to the needs of different target groups rounded off the exhibition and provided a perfect example of how the transfer of technology and expertise can be put into practice.

Berliner Medienwoche (Media Week) and medienpolitik@IFA with joint congress programme

For the second time the media event Berliner Medienwoche took place parallel with IFA. At medienwoche@IFA the conferences, panel discussions and keynote speeches involving the Media Board, Medienanstalt Berlin-Brandenburg and the gfu, the organiser of IFA, were again combined to form a joint congress programme. A carefully coordinated conference programme, in terms of content and timing, was provided for trade fair and congress visitors, presenting the perspectives for media policy and for the supplies of content and the equipment industry. With an attendance of some 15,000 the medienwoche@IFA is one of the largest meetings of this kind for the industry in Europe.

serviceforum@IFA

Aspirations and reality in the process of obtaining digital added value, market opportunities, new business models and the importance of competent after-sales services and advice in the new digitalised world formed the focus of the fourth edition of the serviceforum@IFA, which is in the form of a panel. On 5 September 2009 at IFA in Berlin leading representatives from industry, dealerships and the skilled trades came to obtain information and discuss various aspects of the implementation of digitalisation in everyday business.

www.ifa-berlin.de