IFA 2017: Digital innovations for every lifestyle

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In 2017 IFA will again feature a larger display area, a new concept for presenting innovations and forward-looking topics, and an expanded IFA Global Markets segment.

"Once again, IFA is presenting a wealth of innovations and new products. IFA NEXT especially highlights everything consumer and home electronics has long stood for: creativity and an innovative spirit", said Dr. Christian Göke, CEO Messe Berlin.

The display area of IFA Global Markets at STATION Berlin (Gleisdreieck) has doubled in size. IFA Global Markets is for trade visitors only and the main marketplace for buyers and retailers. This is where IFA brings suppliers, component manufacturers and OEMs/ODMs together with potential customers and partners of the CE and home appliances industries. Europe's largest sourcing platform is open from Sunday 3, to Wednesday, 6 September. It is located in the heart of the city, at STATION Berlin, an event venue near Potsdamer Platz. A free shuttle service will operate between IFA Global Markets and IFA on the exhibition grounds.

This year, IFA will continue to expand its role as an innovative force for growth in the consumer and home electronics markets and build on its standing as an international platform and meeting place.

A new feature is IFA NEXT, the big stage presenting innovations in Hall 26. This unique innovation hub for startups, research labs and companies brings together what belongs together: global know-how for the future of technology, business and lifestyle. This will be reflected not least in face-to-face meetings with representatives of leading international companies, experts and innovators at the IFA Keynotes, IFA+Summit and IFA Hosted Conferences.

"Digital innovations affect all areas of consumer lifestyle and influence them in a positive way. IFA NEXT, the innovation hub in Hall 26, combines all this into a new experience. It is presented by researchers, developers and startups and not least installation engineers. IFA is Europe's biggest digital event", said Jens Heithecker, executive director of IFA.

Home Appliances, featuring the segments Large Home Appliances and Small Home Appliances, are being exhibited for the tenth time at IFA, which has now become the largest trade show for this sector.

Launched in 2008, Home Appliances@IFA has grown in size and exhibitor numbers every successive year. Originally covering four halls, it will occupy 11 this year. Since 2008 Home Appliances exhibitors have increased four times over.

"Home appliances and consumer electronics products and markets are converging all the time. IFA was first to recognize this trend and transformed it into a successful event. This means that IFA 2017 will be celebrating the tenth edition of Home Appliances@IFA. By targeting specific audiences IFA has lived up to its role as a unique platform for both markets. No other trade show meets the requirements of the leading brands of the respective industry, its retailers, consumers and the media so comprehensively. That is why IFA has been one continuous success. This is reflected in the constant rise in order volume, which last year exceeded 4.5 billion euros", said Hans-Joachim Kamp, chairman of the board of gfu Consumer & Home Electronics GmbH.

Positive market developments in Germany in the first half of 2017
In the home electronics industry, following a 2.9 per cent increase in the first quarter of 2017, overall growth in the first half was 2.2 per cent. In the consumer electronics market, from January to June 2017 sales of televisions (+ 3.1%) and set-top boxes (+ 255 %) rose sharply. This was due to the changeover to DVB-T2 terrestrial HD broadcasting and the closing down of analog cable transmissions in three federal States. Sales of video game consoles (+ 44 %) and smartphones (+ 4 %) also displayed a positive trend in the first half of 2017.

The market for both large and small home appliances was also upbeat. In the first half of 2017 the market for large home appliances recorded 1.3 per cent growth, while sales of small appliances rose by 2.6 per cent. The best-selling products in this field were energy-saving heat pump condenser tumble dryers, fully integrated dishwashers, kitchen hobs with built-in extractors, fully automatic espresso makers, vacuum cleaners, cleaning robots and air purifiers.

This year, IFA will again provide an impetus for both the domestic and global markets. In 2017, the consumer electronics market is expected to grow by one per cent overall. IFA will continue to support the positive trend in the home appliances market, both where large and small appliances are concerned. In 2017 the overall growth forecast for this market is two to three per cent. With its winning combination of products IFA paves the way for successful business.

Industry trends
Ultra-slim HD TV screens that blend in with the walls, hi-fi music components that feature optimum sound, cameras that film 360-degree videos, voice control for media and the fully connected home, mini-worlds from a 3D printer, cool gadgets such as activity trackers and watches promote fitness and health. These are just some of the things that will naturally be on show at IFA. The Home Appliances section will again display a wide range of products from every category, demonstrating what the industry is capable of. Trends include smart, connected appliances boasting all kinds of functions, including resource saving and energy-efficiency, sustainability, as well as easy-to-use and programmable time-saving features. As regards cooking appliances the focus is on healthy food using fresh ingredients. In addition to outstanding technical features large and small electrical appliances also boast excellent design and high-quality materials.

IFA Festival in the Summer Garden
"IFA is not just the place to find new technology trends from around the world, but also the venue for an open-air festival, cultural attractions and a show to enjoy – pure 'IFAtainment', so to speak. Nowhere else can one experience so many Michelin-starred chefs, actors, athletes, musicians, media celebrities and political figures close up", said Dirk Koslowski, the project manager of IFA.

IFA Opening Concert: YELLO Live 2017 featuring 2RAUMWOHNUNG!

Boris Blank and Dieter Meier performing at the IFA Summer Garden, one of the capital's most beautiful open-air venues, promises to be one of the outstanding concerts this summer.

"No to cyberspace - Yes to live experience" – a musical tour of four decades of band history. As part of their live show YELLO, along with top musicians and singers, will perform songs from TOY, the new album, a well as hits including The Race, Do it and Oh Yeah.

At the IFA Summer Garden Germany's best-known and most successful electropop duo will be guesting alongside YELLO's electronic music pioneers Dieter Meier and Boris Blank. Since their debut album in 2001 2raumwohnung have sold over a million copies, released seven top-ten studio albums and won three Golden Discs, as well as many other awards. Their new album called 'Nacht und Tag' was due out on 16 June. It is the band's first double album.

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