THE recent IFA trade show in Berlin saw 15% more exhibitors compared to last year’s show, as well as a ten per cent increase in the number of trade visitors and the general public.
As with last year’s show, there was a major focus on High Definition TV (HDTV), in particular TVs supporting full HD 1080p images, as well as the competing hi-def disc formats, Blu-ray and HD DVD, with several manufacturers releasing next generation HD decks.
Despite rumours that the show may go back to its previous format of one show every two years, the organisers remain confident about the show’s future. Hans-Joachim Kamp, chairman of the consumer electronics trade association the ZVEI and a member of the Supervisory Board of the gfu, commented: “The IFA has now become the leading trade show for the CE industry. Our industry is benefiting from the positive mood among consumers, which is also reflected by the volume of orders at the IFA 2007. It gives a clear signal of the upward trend”.
IFA 2008 is set to take place from 29 August to 3 September.
