IFA 100:‘Innovation for All’ attracts more than 215,000 visitors from 138 countries

The 100th anniversary edition of IFA attracted more than 215,000 visitors from 138 countries, including over 133,000 trade visitors, who flocked to Berlin to witness cutting-edge innovation in consumer electronics and home appliances. Artificial Intelligence, Sustainability, and Digital Health were major themes at this year's event, which hosted more than 1,800 exhibitors.

Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz officially opened IFA 100 at a gala event on Thursday evening, followed by a tour showcasing the latest advancements across various sectors.

Notable keynote speakers included Dr. Reinhard Zinkann, Executive Director and Co-Proprietor of Miele Group, who highlighted how white goods can contribute to the circular economy. Mark Barrocas, CEO of SharkNinja, discussed the innovation engine driving his business, while Dr. Karsten Wildberger, CEO of MediaMarktSaturn, explored topics such as AI, Connectivity, Gaming, and Content Creation. Additionally, singer, actress, and philanthropist Nicole Scherzinger shared insights on how technology and social media continue to transform the music and entertainment industries.

Visitor numbers surged by 18% compared to last year, with significant increases from countries like the United States, Italy, France, Poland, Korea, and the United Kingdom. The fully booked exhibition halls highlighted key sectors, including Smart Home, Communication & Connectivity, Computing & Gaming, Audio, Photo, Video & Content Creation, and Digital Health.

IFA NEXT, the innovation hub, featured more than 200 start-ups, showcasing groundbreaking products like flying cars, cognitive robots, and AI-powered drones. South Korea, this year’s IFA NEXT Innovation Partner Country, contributed a large number of these start-ups.

The popular Sommergarten stage made a triumphant return, hosting performances by international music legends such as Bryan Adams, Faithless, and leading German hip-hop artists, curated by 6PM. These acts attracted a large Gen Z audience. Thousands of fans also gathered for a live recording of Germany’s popular "Fest and Flauschig" podcast.

IFA Berlin debuted a bold rebrand this year, combining fresh colors with its traditional "Funk Otto" logo. The event's importance as a platform for exhibitors and retailers in the tech sector was underscored by the substantial presence of trade visitors, media representatives, and even political figures. Media attendance increased by 43%, while the number of tech bloggers and influencers surged by 300%.

As always, IFA served as a showcase for the near future of technology. Attendees were treated to real-life implementations of the latest AI tools, while sustainability remained a prominent theme, with companies displaying more eco-friendly devices and services aimed at helping consumers lead sustainable lives. Digital Health was another key focus, as more consumers seek ways to use technology to stay healthy.

Leif Lindner, CEO of IFA Berlin Management GmbH, remarked, "What a wonderful 100th birthday party for IFA, and what an amazing year for the world’s leading technology trade fair. We are really grateful to all our industry, trade visitors, the public, and all the media who came to Berlin and truly made IFA 100 a year and an event to remember. We are satisfied with the huge number of commitments already from our exhibitors to participate at IFA 2025."

Dr. Sara Warneke, Managing Director of gfu Consumer & Home Electronics GmbH, the owner of the IFA brand, added, "IFA 100 has exceeded all our expectations. The updated concept of IFA is working, largely due to the young media professionals and content creators who have inspired their generation. The feedback from our partners, exhibitors, the retail industry, and visitors has been overwhelmingly positive. IFA 100 has been a tremendous success for our industry, and it has solidified itself as a platform for the next 100 years."

IFA 2025 will take place from September 5–9 in Berlin.

SOURCE: IFA