IFA 2006: Worldwide CE Sector Maintains Its Continuity; IFA Strengthens International Trade Fair Market; Annual Concept Well Received; Full Programme of Entertainment Each Day

As the world's leading fair for the consumer electronics
sector, and now an annual event, from 2006 the IFA - Consumer
Electronics Unlimited - has consolidated its position on the
international trade fair market. The 160,000 m2 of hall space and
numerous outdoor sites at the IFA will feature displays by 1.049
exhibitors from more than 32 countries. The IFA continues to set the
pace and enhance the effectiveness of the worldwide CE industry. It
provides the clearest and most comprehensive picture of the latest
developments in consumer electronics.
"The annual concept has now been implemented and is supported by
domestic and international exhibitors. By participating in such
numbers they have revitalised it. The number of exhibitors taking part
far exceeds our expectations", according to Dr. Rainer Hecker,
Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the organisers of the IFA,
Gesellschaft fur Unterhaltungs- und Kommunikationselektronik (gfu),
speaking at the start of the IFA 2006.
The organisers of the IFA, Gesellschaft fur Unterhaltungs- und
Kommunikationselektronik (gfu), and Messe Berlin, are convinced that
changing the IFA to an annual event will facilitate the ordering of
new products and make the whole process much more professional.
Dr. Christian Goke, Chief Operating Officer of Messe Berlin: "Over
the years the volume of orders has tended to fluctuate. We can expect
a more effective concentration of business here, with greater
continuity in particular. The fact that business can now be concluded
every year in the autumn will have a major impact on companies'
internal processes. An annual IFA will ensure a different degree of
stability for the major companies and their sales processes."
Current market surveys reveal a revival in brand name awareness.
At present 83 per cent of customers are primarily interested in the
quality, and only 17 per cent in the price of a product. Brand name
products not only represent the highest quality but are also a
guarantee of many years of reliability on the basis of the services
provided and the possibilities for upgrading the product. Hans-Joachim
Kamp, member of the Supervisory Board of the gfu and Chairman of the
Consumer Electronics trade association in the ZVEI: "The trend towards
increased quality is also reflected in the technical innovations on
show at the IFA. And another equally important aspect is that of
increased mobility, which has become even more evident following the
Football World Cup."