I NEWS I Dr Sara
I NEWS I Dr Sara Warneke, Managing Director at gfu, and Oliver Merlin, Managing Director at IFA Management, speaking at this year's IFA opening press conference on Wednesday From AI to sustainability: IFA 2023 defines the next chapter of consumer electronics and home appliances "Face to face is back" was the message conveyed to an eager audience at the IFA 2023 opening press conference The tone of the IFA opening press conference on Wednesday was positive and optimistic, with a sense of triumph and determination as the consumer electronics and home appliances market continues to recover in a "changing world". For five days from today, 2,059 exhibitors from 48 countries are presenting their latest products and innovations at IFA 2023. Some of the industry's biggest brands as well as 350 startups are among exhibitors at the trade show, taking up all 13,000sqm of its 26 halls. So "wear the appropriate footwear", organisers said. What's more, almost one in three exhibitors (30%) are at IFA for the first time and "visitors are coming in very big numbers", media professionals were told. Dr Sara Warneke, Managing Director of IFA brand owner gfu, was met with applause as she took to the stage and welcomed what she described as "her favourite time of year". Addressing the conference, she said: "I really love the buzz in the halls and seeing innovations and new products. We can't wait to get started and deliver the full IFA experience." Despite a year "full of challenges" with high inflation and low consumer confidence, Warneke advised that market recovery is on the horizon. "We can see the beginnings of a turnaround," she said. "We are certain that IFA will rise to the occasion and once again demonstrate its value as the world’s most important platform for consumer electronics and home appliances. The innovation presented at IFA will once against drive sustainable growth." IFA is being "taken to the next level" ahead of its 100th birthday next year, media professionals were told. This year’s big themes are Connected Living, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Sustainability, which are also dominating the agenda at the first IFA Leaders Summit on Friday and Saturday. Oliver Merlin, Managing Director of new IFA organiser IFA Management GmbH, said it is "an absolute honour" to manage the 2023 edition which focuses on "muchloved traditions" and "some new bits of magic". New features this year include IFA's Sustainability Village which showcases green innovation, smart applications, best sustainability practices, and expert insights. The zone comprises a stage, an exhibition area, and a Mend and Repair Shop, where attendees can take small broken household devices to be fixed. Also making its debut is the House of Robots, which gives attendees firsthand insight into how robots might affect the future. Time has been invested into growing the IFA Next startup and innovation zone, which this year presents 350 startup companies. "That's not the whole story," Merlin said. "We have over 200 registered investors and they have their own lounge." The area also comprises a content stage, featuring pitch battles and talks such as "successful corporatestartup innovation" and "how to navigate change". Another area of expansion is the IFA Leaders Summit, bringing "two days of top-level 'TED-style' content" from gaming and AI on day one to sustainability and health on day two. "The level of speakers we have got is truly phenomenal and is a really nice addition to IFA," Merlin added IFA INTERNATIONAL • FRIDAY 1 ST SEPTEMBER 2023 9
