BERLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Despite the mood of uncertainty in the markets around the world exhibitors and retailers will be returning home from with a sense of optimism. Manufacturers’ expectations were greatly exceeded at IFA, in particular in the TV, telecoms and home appliances sectors.

“IFA was once again able to build on the global reputation it enjoys with the home appliances industry. This was clear to both retailers and consumers who were fascinated by the innovations in the white goods section. Our expectations were exceeded in every respect.“”

Orders were placed totalling almost four billion euros, making IFA the most relevant event for industry and retailers in the run-up to Christmas, the most important trading period for stockists. This applies equally to both the consumer electronics and home appliances industries.

Successful turnaround and new momentum

Following a difficult period during the first half of the year, the consumer electronics sector has turned the corner, with IFA kickstarting a positive trend ahead of the remaining months of 2013. In the home appliances sector, which gained new momentum from IFA, market players also expect very positive turnover figures for this year.

“IFA gave the markets an important boost. The volume of orders rose yet again, to nearly four billion euros, and both the industry and retailers are looking forward with optimism to the Christmas trading period“, said Hans-Joachim Kamp, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Gesellschaft für Unterhaltungs- und Kommunikationselektronik (gfu), the organisers of IFA.

Large numbers of orders were placed for the latest UHDTV sets. Consumers at IFA were clearly impressed by the pin-sharp resolution of these TVs, so that retailers are confident of their market success. In the telecoms sector the public showed keen interest in new mobile data and wireless services.

Dr. Reinhard Zinkann, Chairman of the Consumer Electronics Trade Association ZVEI: “IFA was once again able to build on the global reputation it enjoys with the home appliances industry. This was clear to both retailers and consumers who were fascinated by the innovations in the white goods section. Our expectations were exceeded in every respect.“

IFA attracts increasing trade visitor and media interest from abroad

1,500 exhibitors displayed their vast range of products and innovations on rented display areas covering 145,000 m². Overall, around 240,000 visitors attended IFA 2013.

Dr. Christian Göke, Chief Executive Officer of Messe Berlin: “We are delighted with the worldwide level of interest which this year’s event attracted and were able to welcome more than 142,000 trade visitors (+1.4%), of whom 46,000 came from abroad (+2.2%).“

Jens Heithecker, the director of IFA: “The number of international journalists attending rose to 2,360, so that IFA was able to build on its reputation with the media as the world’s most relevant event.“

IFA Global Broadcasting Center attracts radio and TV channels from around the world

The high level of interest expressed by the media was reflected by increased demand for transmission time at the IFA Global Broadcasting Center. The list of international TV and radio stations which cooperated with IFA and covered events in Berlin included CCTV and Jiangsu TV from China, Dubai TV TF1, La chaîne Techno, France Info, LCI, BFM TV, I Télé and OUATCH.tv from France, CNBC/ NBC, BBC and Bloomberg from the UK, RAI and Mediaset from Italy, NHK from Japan, Al Jazeera from Qatar, HBO from South America, Servus TV from Austria, TVN 24, Polsat News and Polsat Biznes from Poland, YTN and KBS from Korea, TRT and Star Media from Turkey, as well as CNN, CBS and Fox News from the USA.

IFA International Keynotes: the global stage for CEOs

The list of high-ranking speakers at this year’s IFA International Keynote series was particularly long. As the highly coveted event where CEOs and senior executives gather, this year’s keynote series focused on the personal visions and strategies of its speakers. They included Pieter Nota, Vice President of Philips and Chief Executive Officer, Consumer Lifestyle, Philips; Dan Hesse, Chief Executive Officer of Sprint Corporation; Alan Mulally, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ford Motor Company; Turan Erdogan, Chief Executive Officer of Vestel Group; Colin Angle, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of iRobot, and Noel Lee, founder and CEO of Monster, Inc.

IFA Summer Garden concerts sold out

More than 40,000 visitors came to enjoy the sunny, summer atmosphere of the IFA Summer Garden, one of Berlin’s most beautiful open-air venues. Helge Schneider, Philips Poisel, Die Neuen DeutschPoeten, Unheilig and Heino got the audiences into a lively partying mood.

IFA is the world’s leading trade show for consumer electronics and home appliances and will take place on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds (Berlin Expo Center City) from 5 to 10 September 2014.

Comments by exhibitors on IFA 2013:

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