IFA // preview
World’s biggest CE trade show
gives positive preview
The organiser of consumer electronics trade show, IFA, saw record media attendance to an
international press conference in Malta last month, with around 300 journalists eager to
hear the latest announcements about the September show. Despite the economic climate, it
appears likely to remain a successful event for everyone involved…
Stability in an otherwise for innovative technologies. It the same sector grew by an
morbid scene expected concentrates the technical expertise unbelievable 157 per cent in 2008.
Consumer electronics trade show, of all the industrial sectors, During concluding statements
IFA’s organiser, Gesellschaft für media branches and institutions Jurgen commented that price will
Unterhaltungs (gfu), took the represented at IFA. IFA TecWatch’s be of significant importance in the
opportunity to announce that it tailored events and content address television market as manufacturers
expects to see a repeat of last a variety of target audiences - from will be forced to drive down price
year’s success at the 2009 show industry decision-makers and to push more sales.
to be held in Berlin on September technical experts to a wide range of During the discussion panel
4 - 9. technically interested members of which followed the presentation, Dr
Trade shows have been finding the public. Hecker from gfu also commented
it hard to weather the economic that home networking, wireless
storm of late and in spite of GfK Retail and HDMI and Blu-ray technology
murmurs about the world’s biggest
Dr Christian Goke, Chief
Technology releases are going to be big 2009 sellers.
CE trade show being hit hard, it
Operating Officer at the Messe
new findings These were also discussed by
turned out that expectations are in Berlin Research group GfK Retail and the IFA organiser as representing
fact rather high. Technology released new findings major sections of the 2009
Predictions have been very Christian Goke, Chief Operating at the conference, suggesting that show, with a particular emphasis
positive, with pre-registrations Officer at the Messe Berlin also on a global basis there was positive on green consumerism. Like
equalling that of this time last year announced that singer Amy growth of eleven per cent in 2008 many lifestyle-based products,
and almost the same amount of Macdonald will be opening the in the CE market and the European consumers are increasingly aware
exhibition space reserved. event with a performance from her sector remained stable. Jurgen of the energy outputs of electronic
In recent years IFA has become hit album, This Is Life, which sold Boyny from the organisation spoke products and there is a growing
a big hit with the industry, with more than 2.5 million copies since of a cocooning effect in Europe, focus on this controversial area.
gfu bosses recording orders its release. whereby consumers
superseding three billion Euros at are leaving their
the last event and claims that new IFA TecWatch at the homes less in an
technologies such as MP3 and HD 2009 show effort to cut spending
were previewed at the show first. The IFA TecWatch programme habits. The need for
“IFA’s carefully tailored concept is aimed at showcasing the further technology
aimed at the requirements of developments of television platforms and
exhibitors and trading partners, and web technologies and the entertainment-based
which has been continuously convergence of different mediums. home improvements,
Jurgen
developed to suit market In a separate display area covering the company
Boyny
requirements and trends, has 2500 square metres, IFA TecWatch suggests, may be
from GfK
achieved positive results. IFA in Hall 5.3 will present exciting causing increased
Retail and
Technology
represents a unique foundation prospects for new markets. Public spending on new
on which to base the long-term and industry research institutions, televisions with
business success of industry universities, joint projects, improved picture quality. On a global basis, four areas
and trade - particularly in times standards institutions and leading As Jurgen put it, “This is a known as the BRIC communities,
of crisis,” said Dr Rainer Hecker, international semi-conductor banking crisis, not a consumer are seen as potential growth
chairman of the supervisory board specialists will present their latest crisis.” The prevalence of such a markets due for heavy investment
of gfu. In 2008 the show recorded developments here. statement can be seen in the UK, in consumer electronics products.
a record number of new product IFA TecWatch is unique in where 80 per cent of households The BRIC communities comprise
launches and showcases, which is combining a specialist exhibition now own a flat screen television. Brazil, Russia, India and China, all of
a central focus of the exhibition. with a communication platform Though this seems to convey which, with the possible exception
that certain markets may be of Russia, are nations with rapidly
heading towards a point of developing economies; and even
saturation, GfK was quick to note in many areas of Russia there is
that many households are now a class divide of hugely wealthy
demanding more than one flat consumers. Brazil alone saw a 2008
screen; in lounges, bedrooms and rise of 23 per cent in purchases of
(especially in Italy) kitchens, where consumer electronics products as
the company suggests that cook- the economy continued to develop.
along programmes on television Although there is expected to
could be bucking trends. Germany be a reduction in market growth
has been hailed as a success in Europe throughout 2009, it
story in 2008 with a total market is predicted by GfK Retail and
Press attendance
at the conference
increase of 1.7 per cent in the CE Technology that there will not be an
division. Also in South America overall market decline.
www.custominstaller.co.uk May 2009 7
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