News

Record number of exhibitors expected at IFA 2005 (24/8/2005)

This year's IFA (2 Ð 7 Sept.) continues to provide the impetus for the worldwide expansion of the consumer electronics industry. The 160,000 m2 of hall space and numerous outdoor sites at the IFA will feature displays by 1,189 exhibitors from more than 40 countries, setting a new record at the IFA 2005 for the numbers of exhibitors, which have risen 15 per cent compared with the last event.

The leading exhibitors at this year's IFA will include such major names as ARD, Deutsche Telekom AG, LG Electronics, Panasonic, Samsung, Sony, harman consumer group international, Philips and Vestel, some of them occupying areas of as much as 6,000 sq. metres. And around half of all those exhibiting at this event are also investing more in their product presentations and their reception areas for dealers. Apart from increased international participation the IFA is also seeing an upsurge in the numbers of German exhibitors.

Moreover companies such as Intel, Ingram Micro and Canon are either rediscovering the attractions of the IFA or in some cases are among the newcomers to this event. Within the general context of home entertainment Intel, the world's largest semi-conductor manufacturer, is taking over an entire hall (7.2) for its display of outstanding products for information technology, networking and communications. Ingram Micro, the world's no.1 distributor of technology products, is launching its V7-Videoseven brand for LCD televisions in Hall 1.2. Canon is returning to the Berlin Exhibition Grounds after an absence of several years, with the very latest in digital imaging on an outdoor display covering some 1,400 m2.

As Dr. Christian Gške, Chief Executive Officer of Messe Berlin, pointed out: "The IFA 2005 is the only worldwide event for the consumer electronics industry with such innovative strengths and positive growth prospects. For those exhibitors from the IT sector who are appearing for the first time at the IFA we are helping to pave the way to meet the challenges of the digital revolution." Quite apart from the impressive presentations by exhibitors at this year's IFA other highlights include the "IFA HDTV Sportsbar" in Hall 26, the Digital Music Lounge in Hall 1.1 and the IFA Reseller Parks in Hall 4.2.

High definition television in Hall 26

Visitors to the IFA first made the acquaintance of high definition television (HDTV) twenty years ago during the fair's Technical and Scientific Programme. HDTV, as the ultimate system of achieving technically improved pictures, is entering the second round at the IFA 2005 and a foretaste is being given of the HDTV transmissions for the 2006 World Cup in Hall 26, where the public will be able to see some of the many aspects of High Definition Television that will be featured on an activity area around the 550 sq. metre IFA HDTV Sportsbar. The focal point of the IFA HDTV Sportsbar is an American diner in the style of the internationally known sports bar, with some 30 flat screen displays. The IFA HDTV Sportsbar concept is completed by the use of various lounges set in the corners, a grandstand based on those found in sports stadiums, and a basketball court.

Digital Entertainment & Music

The IFA Digital Music Lounge in Hall 1.1 has been designed to appeal to anyone with an interest in music, and especially to younger visitors to the IFA. Here the latest trends in the music scene are being presented by some of the leading names in this field such as Native Instruments GmbH, one of the leaders in the music and audio software market, and Gravis. The Music Media Park, featuring IFAtours and jugendnetzberlin.de, provides a behind-the-scenes look at career opportunities from 5 to 7 September 2005. Companies on the Exhibition Grounds, and a number in Berlin too, will be presenting practical job prospects in music, the media and electronics.

There will be products and 20-minute stage presentations from Native Instruments. The latest programmes for professional DJs will be shown by specialist suppliers of these products and by DJ Kabuki, one of the longest-serving and best-known drum&bass DJs in Germany. There will also be workshops with inside tips and the answers to many questions.

A particular highlight of this section of the exhibition will be the IFA-Podcast World, a joint venture by Gravis, Audible & Apple. When those in the know talk of "podcasting" they mean the compilation of audio data in the mp3 format (podcast), which can then be made available on the internet for downloading. The programme will include round table discussions and panels with prominent guests including Giovanni di Lorenzo (DIE ZEIT), Mousse T (singer), Wladimir Kaminer (author) and Annik Rubens (Schlaflos in MŸnchen, podcaster).

IFA Reseller Parks in Hall 4.2

The Reseller Parks concept proved a success at the IFA 2003 and is being continued in 2005. Between 2 and 7 September 2005 on an area measuring some 790 sq. m. dealers at the IFA Communication and IFA Computing Reseller Parks in Hall 4.2 will have direct access to exhibitors and information about specialist dealers. One of the main exhibitors this year is Siemens, which has reserved an area of almost 100 sq. m. in the Communication Reseller Park. These Reseller Parks met exhibitors' expectations in 2003 as places where dealers and the ultimate users could obtain information and advice. Once again the design of the IFA Reseller Parks 2005 is the result of a joint effort by the trade fair organisers Global FairsTT-Messe (OsnabrŸck) and industry associations.

www.ifa-berlin.de