3D TV To Take Centre Stage At IFA 2010 In Berlin

The IFA (or Internationale Funkausstellung) event held annually in Berlin is one of the biggest consumer electronics and home appliances trade shows in the world. Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the show organisers revealed that the exhibit booths at the venue have all been snapped up by various manufacturers, which promises a record number of new product announcements despite the slow economy. Some of the major themes of IFA 2010 are 3D TV, internet-enabled TV (IETV), home networking and mobile media within the consumer electronics market, and lifestyle design, ergonomics and energy efficiency in the home appliances sector.

Dr Christian Göke, chief operating officer of Messe Berlin which hosts the trade show, expressed his satisfaction at the increasing number of manufacturers who have rented a large amount of hall space to exhibit their products, which has forced them to fully utilise every inch of available floor space, and even construct a temporary extension to cope with the demand. As a result, the occupancy rate at IFA 2010 has posted a double-digit rise in terms of floor space taken up.

IFA executive director Jens Heithecker is convinced that the annual trade show still plays an important role for manufacturers, retailers and the media. According to him, manufacturers who display their products receive an unsurpassed amount of attention from international trade visitors and worldwide media; manufacturers and retailers are introduced to one another and knock out more business deals than any other single venue; and the press can obtain first-hand coverage of more product premieres than any other trade shows.

Some of the most important keynote speeches at IFA Berlin 2010 will be dedicated to 3D TV, which has been the hot topic in the HDTV arena since the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas at the beginning of the year. Bryan Burns, VP of strategic business planning and development from ESPN, will among other things address the cooperation needed between different industries to stimulate public interest in 3D displays. Bernhard Burgener, CEO of German broadcasting company Constantin Medien AG, will touch on the importance of cinema and sporting events in fuelling 3D media consumption, and reveal some exclusive information on an upcoming 3D movie “Resident Evil: Afterlife“.

IFA will take place at the Berlin Exhibition Site in Germany from 3rd to 8th of September.