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IFA 2007 - Highlight of the year for the consumer electronics sector (20/8/2007)

Strong participation by 1,170 exhibitors from 32 countries - Leading dealers' cooperatives also present - New hall allocations in 2007

The second annual IFA has become more international than ever. Over six days the 1,170 exhibitors from 32 countries will be presenting a comprehensive display of consumer electronics products and services. The number of exhibitors will be significantly higher than in 2006 too.

Dr. Christian Gške, Chief Executive Officer of Messe Berlin GmbH: "For 2007 we have achieved an increase of some ten per cent in the rented area compared with 2006, thus improving even more on the record levels of the IFA 2005." The entire Exhibition Grounds are being transformed into an outstanding display area for innovations, featuring all the major full range stockists, specialists in the photographic sector and suppliers of audio, hi fi and sat-nav equipment.

In 2007 the prominent exhibitors will include Astra, Beko, Canon, Daewoo, Epson, Deutsche Telekom AG, Fujitsu Siemens, Grundig, JVC, Hama, Harman International, Hitachi, LG, Loewe, Metz, Olympus, Panasonic, Philips, Pioneer, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, Toshiba and Vestel. Maxfield and Trekstor will occupy an entire hall in the "My Media" section in the area immediately adjacent to the Funkturm (radio tower). The electronic media are also prominently represented with the national networks ARD and ZDF.

"The IFA therefore represents the entire spectrum of digital entertainment and consolidates its position as the leading international trade show for consumer electronics", according to Hans-Joachim Kamp, Member of the Supervisory Board of Gesellschaft fŸr Unterhaltungs- und Kommunikationselektronik (gfu) and Chairman of the Consumer Electronics Trade Association in the ZVEI. "The growth of the IFA also reflects the positive economic development throughout this entire sector, and during the current year it will provide the CE market with an additional impetus for growth."

Kamp expects strong expansion during the 4th quarter, and forecasts by market researchers indicate that this will be some 8 per cent higher than in the same period last year. Much of this growth will be accounted for again by flat screens using LCD and plasma technology, digital cameras, sat-nav equipment and notebook computers. The lasting and positive development of the market is also attributable to the willingness on the part of consumers to spend more on up-market equipment, and this is also apparent in the continual rise in the average price of television sets and in the disproportionate growth in per-capita expenditure on consumer electronics.

Dealers are playing a decisive part in the positive development of the CE sector. The IFA 2007 itself makes an important contribution to strengthening the links between the industry and dealers: the leading dealers' cooperatives have intensified their traditional partnerships with the IFA in order to ensure that the world's leading trade show for consumer electronics serves the interests of dealers even more effectively. ElectronicPartner, EURONICS International, expert and telering will be providing European dealers with access to the entire range from the international CE sector at a single location. This means that specialist dealers can obtain highly qualified information about the CE sector, to meet the needs of their customers, as well as insights into the strategic sales promotion measures in different European countries.

"For the gfu as the organiser of the IFA this intensified collaboration with international dealers' cooperatives is one of the cornerstones of this event. Together we are continuing to develop the IFA as a central event for the industry and an important place for taking and placing orders. Dealers are the real VIPs of the IFA", is how Dr. Rainer Hecker, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of gfu, views the intensive partnership with the trade.

Introduction of new sections reflects the structures of the digital CE market

The various sections and the allocation of hall space have been re-organized to ensure that the Exhibition Grounds is even more clearly laid out in 2007. This provides a highly accurate reflection of the "positive" way in which the market is developing at present. These improvements in the layout have been agreed jointly by gfu, Messe Berlin and the industry. Jens Heithecker, Director of Messe Berlin: "We want to make it as easy as possible for visitors to find their way around. The sections devoted to the various product groups have been divided up in response to three questions: "What is the content? What equipment is required? What means are used to transmit it?" "IFA Audio Entertainment" is a new section this year, located in the halls immediately adjacent to the South Entrance.

Taking into account the importance and potential of Web 2.0-based applications the IFA is providing new presentation opportunities with product displays in the two sections "IFA My Media" and "IFA Public Media". In the busy period immediately preceding the start of the IFA 2007 both areas are reporting good levels of bookings. The previous sections devoted to "IFA Personal Computing & Games" and "IFA Digital Imaging & Digital Music" are now incorporated within the "IFA My Media" area. All public access TV and radio services together with public music and video sectors are now being presented under one roof under the heading of "IFA Public Media".

"IFA Television and Entertainment" has been renamed "IFA Home Entertainment" and continues to feature all the full-range stockists as well as the suppliers of TV, DVD and home entertainment. In the past "IFA SNC Satellite, Networks & Cable" and "IFA Personal Communication" formed two separate sections, and these have now been combined to create "IFA Communication". "IFA Technology & Components" incorporates technology companies and the International Halls. One of the main highlights here is the Science and Technology Forum (TWF), a separate technology trade show within the IFA, which will once again provide insights into the technological aspects of the electronic media of the future.

Main themes of audio and digital imaging

Attention at the IFA 2007 will focus on "IFA Audio Entertainment" to reflect the developments taking place in new digital audio formats and further improvements to sound quality. Located close to the main South Entrance, this section will offer an even wider range of innovations, large stages and many attractions for the public.

Digital Imaging will also be among the main themes of the IFA in 2007. Of course digital cameras are included in the product portfolios of most full-range stockists, whose displays for the trade, the media and the public at the IFA feature all these products. However, consumer electronics dealers and buyers also attend the IFA in order to learn more about digital imaging, and to place orders.

This increases the importance of the IFA for specialists in the photographic industry too. In the new section entitled "IFA MyMedia" the IFA provides a summary for consumers of how digital images and films can be recorded, transmitted, stored and edited.

www.ifa-berlin.de