ALICANTE – The IFA, one of the world’s biggest consumer electronics and home appliance tradeshows in the world, is set to expand even further for 2011.
The 2010 event had 134,000 sq feet of product displays from 1,423 exhibitors, showing the 235,000 visitors the next steps in consumer technology.
For this year’s event, the bookings for floor space have already been huge and it seems the only issue is space to show it all.
Speaking at the IFA Global Press Conference, Dr Christian Goke, COO of Messe Berlin, said this show is set to grow larger for 2011, where they will set up temporary halls for the international floor and their photo floor to cater for the event.
The IFA iZone and the IFA eLibrary will make a return, thanks to their popularity from last year. The iZone hosted products designed for the iPad and iPhone and the eLibrary will focus on media products from publishers and manufacturers related to e-book readers and tablets.
IFA TecWatch, where universities and research facilities present the newest technology developments, will get a larger area in the show.
Trends
Web-connected devices, such as smart televisions, will be a huge trend for IFA 2011.
The popularity of tablets, smartphones, apps and home networking will also be dominant during the show.
Jurgen Boyny, global director for consumer electronics at GfK Retail and Technology, there will be €668bn spent on consumer electronics worldwide in 2011, a slight growth of 6pc from 2010.
Europe will make up 28pc of all total sales in consumer electronics in 2011.
IFA 2011 will be held in Berlin from the 2-7 September.
