One Month After Closing, Visit to Korea
'IFA 2024' Attendees Increase by 18% Compared to Last Year
"Caution to Avoid 'Sinicization'"
Mention of Attracting Nvidia Participation Next Year
Life Linthner, CEO of IFA, Europe's largest home appliance exhibition, praised Korean companies on the 18th, saying, "From global companies like Samsung and LG to startups participating in 'IFA NEXT,' the innovative spirit of Korea has greatly contributed to enabling IFA to move toward the future this year."
Life Lintner, CEO of IFA, is answering questions from the press at a press conference held at the German Chamber of Commerce in Korea on the 18th. Photo by Kim Hyung-min
At a press conference held at the German Chamber of Commerce in Korea on the same day, CEO Linthner said, "Next year, we will achieve even stronger growth through technological innovation and global cooperation together with Korea."
IFA is one of the world's top three electronics and IT exhibitions, along with CES in Las Vegas, USA, and the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain. This year marked its 100th anniversary. It was held from September 6 to 10 in Berlin, Germany, under the theme "Innovation for All." The event featured 1,804 companies from 44 countries. The number of visitors increased by 18% compared to last year, reaching 215,000, and the media coverage grew by 28% to 4,500 outlets from 101 countries.
Samsung Electronics set up the industry's largest exhibition space under the theme "AI for All," while LG Electronics presented solutions that organically connect AI home appliances under the theme "AI Home Redesigned with Empathic Intelligence." Korea operated its own pavilion as the official innovation partner country of IFA's startup platform, IFA NEXT, introducing 20 startups and small and medium-sized enterprises.
CEO Linthner said, "Welcoming Korea as the innovation partner country of IFA NEXT this year was very fitting with the theme of IFA's 100th anniversary event, 'Innovation for All.'"
To mark its 100th anniversary, IFA underwent a complete rebranding to target new visitors such as Generation Z. Benchmarking major events like CES, it transformed into a complex cultural event by offering performances and various attractions.
CEO Linthner said, "There is a plaza in the center of the building that can accommodate up to 10,000 visitors, so we thought about filling it with diverse content," adding, "We are also considering K-pop for next year." He continued, "While commemorating the 100th anniversary this year, we have completed preparations to move forward together for the next 100 years through analysis and optimization," and added that they are seeking opportunities to collaborate with Korea amid trends such as AI and sustainability.
He stated, "Despite the economic downturn, consumers are willing to spend on products that improve energy efficiency and make daily life more convenient," and predicted, "Samsung and LG have been deeply considering this and are launching related products, which is expected to bring a fresh breeze to the sluggish market." CEO Linthner also emphasized his connection with Korea, saying, "Before working at IFA, I worked at Samsung for a long time, so Korea holds many beautiful memories for me."
CEO Linthner worked at Samsung Electronics' German branch from 2008 to 2023 and served as Vice President of the TV business division at the German branch from 2019, playing a role in increasing Samsung Electronics' market share in Germany. He said, "About 800 Korean companies visited IFA this year, and I hope even more companies will come to IFA in the future," adding, "I believe there are quite a few truly innovative companies in Korea." He also emphasized, "What IFA wants is diversity, and when selecting participating companies, we conduct very thorough and strict evaluations of whether they have innovative technology," and warned, "We will be careful not to create an image of 'China-ization' as too many Chinese companies participate in IFA."
Regarding criticism that domestic recognition is lower compared to CES, he said, "CES focuses heavily on mobility, but IFA does not concentrate on just one theme," and added, "Overall, I think we have succeeded in encompassing future businesses and rebranding."
CEO Linthner said that more semiconductor companies will participate in next year's IFA, stating, "We are trying to attract not only Samsung but also leading semiconductor companies like Nvidia," and added, "At the end of this year or early next year, we will announce which semiconductor companies will attend the next IFA." 'IFA 2025' will be held in Berlin from September 5 to 9 next year.
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