Pohang Mayor Lee Gangdeok Attends IFA in Germany... Exploring Digital Transformation and MICE Industry Strategies

Exploring Development Models for Digital Transformation
at the World’s Largest Home Appliance and Digital Exhibition
Strengthening Global Exhibition and Convention Competitiveness
and Linking with the Digital Industry

Lee Gangdeok, Mayor of Pohang, attended the IFA (Internationale Funk Ausstellung Berlin), the world’s largest home appliance and digital exhibition held in Berlin, Germany, where he explored the potential for digital transformation in Pohang’s industries and identified development models applicable to international exhibition and convention operations.

Pohang City attended the world's largest home appliance and digital exhibition held in Berlin, Germany. Photo by Pohang City

IFA, which began in 1924, is the world’s oldest and largest home appliance and ICT exhibition. Alongside CES in the United States, it serves as a global platform that attracts hundreds of thousands of business leaders, experts, and consumers from around the world every year.

During this visit, Mayor Lee held a meeting with IFA organizers, toured domestic company pavilions such as Samsung and LG, as well as major European booths, and examined international exhibition and convention operation cases and applicable development models.

In addition, Pohang City signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Korean office of IFA and the Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, establishing a foundation for ongoing cooperation in areas such as domestic business exchange, administrative support, and youth overseas advancement.

Notably, at the exhibition site, Mayor Lee directly observed the latest technologies and service trends in digital convergence industries, including artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and smart homes, and devised strategies to link these with digital transformation policies for Pohang and other major cities in Korea.

Lee Gangdeok, Mayor of Pohang, attending the IFA in Germany. Photo by Pohang City

Mayor Lee stated, "IFA is a venue to identify the direction of future industries and expand international exchange and cooperation," adding, "Through this visit, I will work to strengthen the competitiveness of the MICE industry in Korea’s major cities and promote digital innovation."

Pohang City is working to establish a smart exhibition and convention platform that integrates the digital and MICE industries, aiming to attract more domestic and international businesses and tourists and to revitalize the local economy.