IFA Berlin will be taking place from 6 September to 11 September. We thank Dirk Koslowski, IFA Director, for this interview to give us a little sneak peak of what is coming in this edition 2019
What novelties have you prepared for this 2019 edition?
IFA 2019 is all about top industry trends: Connectivity, artificial intelligence, voice control and 5G are amongst the big trends driving innovation for consumer electronics and home appliances this year. 5G, for example, enables revolutionary new business models. What it holds in store and where it leads us will be discussed at IFA by global brands and pioneering minds.
Electromobility, Robotics, Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), Blockchain & Cryptocurrency, Security, Smart Living and Wellness - are topics that are additionally to be discovered and experienced in IFA´s innovation area IFA NEXT.
And here we are already with the first news: At the 2019 edition, the very first “Global Innovation Partner of IFA NEXT” will be Japan. Japan is the main driver to create the world of consumer electronics as we know it today, and has become an incredible hub for industry research, thought leadership and start-up innovation. That’s a perfect match for IFA NEXT where researchers, industry professionals, start-ups and retailers come together for a dynamic transfer of knowledge, information and business ideas.
Moreover, Sennheiser and IFA are intensifying their long-standing cooperation through a joint audio partnership for the first time this year. Sennheiser will be demonstrating its expertise in professional audio as “IFA´s Global Audio Partner”. As the Official Global Audio Partner Sennheiser will not only participate IFA in Berlin, but also support the international outreach of IFA. With a continuously growing market in China, Sennheiser is looking forward to participating in CE China (19 - 21 September, Guangzhou). At IFA in Berlin, Sennheiser is especially excited to become part of IFA Next where they will demonstrate the AMBEO applications in the field of VR and AR – one of the trend topics for this year’s IFA.
The event presents a multifaceted programme with workshops at IFA and special events. Which of the activities do you think are a must for the visitor or which of them do you highlight?
The IFA Keynotes is a “not-to-be-missed” event. This year´s line-up is thrilling and we are excitingly looking forward to welcome Richard Yu, the Chief Executive Officer of Huawei on stage for our IFA Opening Keynote. Further President Cristiano Amon will be introducing Qualcomms latest trends and global strategies. More IFA Keynotes announcements follow shortly.
And there is so much more to explore at IFA: The IFA+Summit is IFA´s think tank dedicated to the digital future. Each year the event gathers leading thinkers and global trendsetters who draw inspiration for the next exponential technologies and share their thoughts on the upcoming decade. IFA+Summit stands for new visions, disruptive ideas and inspiring entertainment for a data-scripted world.
Shift AUTOMOTIVE, one of the newest conventions at IFA, creates a roadmap to the future of mobility. This unique combination of convention and showcase offers innovative minds and creators a top-notch forum in conjunction with IFA. Companies from the automotive and mobility segment will present their ideas to international industry professionals and the media.
IFA Global Markets, located in the center of Berlin at STATIONBerlin, is IFA´s international sourcing platform for OEMs& ODMs, suppliers, component manufacturers and yet-to-be discovered brands from all over the world.
This is just an excerpt of the IFA highlights - in addition to all these exciting convention formats, there are countless product highlights and trends to discover.
What are the advantages of exhibiting at IFA?
IFA creates a unique global platform for retailers, manufacturers, innovators, media and consumers. We believe there is no better place than IFA in order to launch your brand or to introduce new products to a global audience of retailers, industry partners and media.
In addition to the trade visitors and consumers visiting IFA in Berlin, some 6,000 journalists create an IFA media buzz in more than 160 countries around the globe.
What differentiates IFA even more from other industry shows is the emphasis placed on business during the six-day event. The show is timed for the all-important end-of-year business ahead of Black Friday, Singles Day in China, and Christmas. Proving once again the impact of IFA on the global Consumer Electronics retail industry by comprising an order volume of 4.7 billion Euros.
Can you give some tips for those exhibiting for the first time in Berlin and specifically at IFA?
The first step on your way to IFA is to contact your local representatives.
The network of IFA Representative Offices on all five continents guarantees that international exhibitors and trade visitors can always reach a nearby representative of IFA in their region. Our IFA Representative Offices provide information about IFA, service for exhibiting and ticketing, preregistration, visa application and travel arrangements in the corresponding language.
Can anybody attend IFA? How to register?
Whether it be professional or private interests, everyone is welcome at IFA.
“How to buy a ticket? How to register as a Trade Visitor?” - are questions that our representatives are looking forward to assisting with. The contact person in your region supports you with your stand-subscription, the ticket-purchase or visa-related matters.
What is the exhibitor profile?
More than half come of our exhibitors are located in Europe, followed by Asia and America.
What is the visitor profile?
As the world’s leading trade show for consumer and home electronics IFA attracts about 245,000 visitors every year, with almost 150,000 trade visitors attending the show, while more than 50 per cent of the trade visitors come from abroad.
Which are the 5 more relevant tradeshows in the sector?
There are several relevant shows. Some with a special interest focus others are aimed exclusively at trade visitors. But IFA is unique in its diversity, size and global reach.
For those who are interested in developing additional B2B activities overseas, two trade shows part of IFA´s ecosystem will help you to set foot in the North American and the Asian market. Both of these events offer unique business opportunities, gather industry’s key players, host strong networking platforms and provide impressive insights into innovative trends and technologies.
Based on the IFA concept, CE China focuses on comprehensive cooperation with leading trade groups, strong global industrial partners, and the emotional presentation of innovative branded products. The next edition of CE China will be held from 19 – 21 September 2019 in Guangzhou, China.
CE Week provides impressive insights into innovative trends and technologies in the world of Consumer & Home Electronics. This event is a must for anyone who wants to make new contacts within the industry in North America and is looking for a perfect networking platform.
Can you give us some participation results from the last edition? How many visitors attend? And, from how many different nationalities they are?
Last year IFA welcomed 245,000 visitors from 129 countries, consisting 153,000 Trade Visitors. Round about 6,000 Journalists attended IFA last year, whereof 50 per cent came from abroad.
Lastly, regarding the exhibitor, how many stand exhibitors participate in the last edition? from how many different nationalities they are?
At IFA, visitors and media had the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with products from 1,814 exhibitors who covered more than 161,000 square meters of space, making IFA 2018 a completely sold out show.
