Gearing up for the 2008 IFA

One of the world's biggest consumer electronics fests gets underway in Berlin this Friday with organizers promising an even bigger IFA this year. The scale of the 2008 event was outlined by Dr. Christian Goke, Chief Operating Officer of Messe Berlin the show's Opening Press Conference held earlier today - 122,000 square meters of display space and 1,245 exhibitors including 807 from 63 countries abroad (almost twice the number of countries represented last year) and an expectation of orders in the vicinity of the 2.75 billion euros clocked-up in 2007. For the first time home appliances will also be represented at the show alongside consumer electronics products, a move that makes sense given that Europe is the world's largest market for electrical domestic goods and that there is a large cross-over between the two sectors, with a significant number of manufacturers making products for both.

The increase international participation in this year's event is evident in the first-time attendance of countries like Thailand, Vietnam and Brazil. International keynotes will include Samsung digital Media Business President Dr. Jongwoo Park, CEO of Philips Lifestyle Andrea Ragnetti and Dr. Kurt-Ludwi Gutberlet, CEO of BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausergrate.

As well as being a trade hub, the raft of new announcements made at the IFA each year also attract a massive media contingent - 6,600 journalists were accredited last year and Gizmag will again be among the throng for the 2008 event to bring you the best of the show - stay tuned in coming days.

Visitor info can be found at the IFA site.

Noel McKeegan