By Claire Reilly

The countdown has begun to Internationale Funkausstellung (IFA) – one of the year’s biggest consumer electronics and home appliance trade shows, set to be held in Berlin from 31 August until 5 September this year.

Last year’s show drew in more than 1,400 individual exhibitors and 239,000 visitors from 89 countries, with buyers from across the world each getting their share of more than €3.5 billion in orders.

The 2012 IFA trade show is expected to be just as successful as last year according to Dr. Christian Göke, the chief operating officer of Messe Berlin, the organisation that runs the event.

“The fact that the world of consumer electronics and home appliances attracts 140,000 trade visitors and more than 6,000 journalists to Berlin is without parallel anywhere in the world,” said Göke. “The story continues in terms of growth and dynamic innovation. IFA is an ongoing success.”

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For the world’s biggest home appliance and electronics brands, the event is seen as a stellar opportunity to showcase new products and innovations, and to gain greater exposure in the consumer and trade space. 

“IFA 2011 [was] another resounding success for De'Longhi and Kenwood,” said Helmut Geltner, general manager, De’Longhi Deutschland GmbH, of last year's event. “There were more dealers and the volume of orders also increased. Compared with the previous year this means significantly more sales for both brands.

“Our stand was filled with visitors all the time, indicating that small appliances have also got what it takes to be a major attraction for the public at IFA.”

Major appliances also have a strong presence at the show, with brands including Bosch, Siemens, Samsung, LG, Electrolux and Miele all showcasing impressive displays at last year’s show.

Harald Friedrich, general manager of Bosch Home Appliances Germany said the event was a real success for the company.

“We can look back on a packed and highly successful week at IFA and for me personally this was an outstanding introduction to selling the Bosch brand,” said Friedrich.

“It was not particularly the footfall on our stand that delighted me, although it remained high through every day of the event. What I regard as much more important is the quality of the discussions with our visitors – dealers, consumers and the media, and the reactions to our message and our innovations.”

IFA attendees get hands on with Samsung products.

The Nespresso stand at IFA 2011.