A Strong Start into IFA’s 100th Anniversary Year

After five days of showcasing, experiencing, and celebrating technology and innovation, IFA Berlin 2023 closed its doors. It was IFA’s first return to full strength since the pandemic without restrictions, with more than 2,000 exhibitors across 130,000 square meters and 26 halls.

Around 182,000 trade visitors and consumers from 138 countries came to Berlin to see the latest products and services in consumer electronics and home appliances. This year’s IFA featured many new experiential areas, from a Sustainability Village and Robotics Hub to IFA Outdoors, which was located in the IFA’s iconic Sommergarten and packed with street food stands, fun activities, and areas for co-working, relaxation, and contemplation.

Two well-received keynotes were given by Honor and Hisense. Honor showed how foldable technology will change the future of mobile devices and – beyond that – be used as a fashion accessory. Hisense highlighted the seamless integration of consumer-centric services across all screens in our homes and announced their official partnership with UEFA’s Euro 2024 football championship.

The IFA Leaders Summit on Friday and Saturday saw a wide array of top experts and industry leaders. They discussed issues like sustainability and the circular economy, the promise and potential of AI, and disruptive technology trends like the Metaverse, robotics, IoT, and new ways of reaching target groups via social media content.

As always, innovation was at the heart of IFA: From the product launches and announcements during the two media days last Wednesday and Thursday, to IFA NEXT. This innovation hub hosted 350 start-ups this year, connected them to more than 200 investors, and saw pitch battles and a series of talks and panels with topics like ‘how to build a unicorn’ and ‘how to successfully collaborate with corporate partners’. The first IFA NEXT pitch battle saw 59 startups competing with each other; the winner was French startup Urban Cuisine with their connected indoor vegetable garden.

Berlin is one of Europe’s top technology hot spots, and that’s why IFA partnered this year with Berlin Tech Week for a reception at Berlin Soho House, organized an AI Sprint and AI Breakfast, hosted the Berlin Startup night, and ran a gaming night at LVL World of Gaming.

“IFA Berlin is back – both as a platform and a constant for the global tech industry. As an event, we showed that IFA is rapidly evolving to meet the expectations of both exhibitors and visitors. IFA 2023 was a big success. But as always, the first day after IFA is the first day before IFA. That’s never been more true than today, as we will now prepare to celebrate IFA’s 100th birthday in 2024,” said Sara Warneke, the Managing Director of industry organization gfu Consumer & Home Electronics. “IFA under new management has proven to all involved that the 2023 edition has initiated the change that will set the direction for all future shows. IFA Management and its shareholders gfu and Clarion agree that a constantly evolving industry also requires a constant evolution of the IFA concept.”

“We had less than eight months to get ready, but the team of IFA Management has worked wonders and delivered a wonderful and inspiring IFA. I’m truly proud of what we have achieved: evolving IFA Berlin from the world’s best show for consumer electronics and home appliances into a content-packed experience for all visitors,” said Oliver Merlin, the Managing Director of IFA Management. "The outlook for next year is promising. Many exhibitors have already committed to IFA 2024, and the government of the state of Berlin has also confirmed its full support for next year’s show."