Consumer electronics and household appliance exhibition IFA Berlin is set to take place as a full-scale, real-life event from September 3-7, 2021.

Due to the pandemic, the event was scaled down in 2020 with a “special edition” of invitation-only, real-life presentations, from the likes of BSH Group, Haier and Miele, together with a virtual exhibition and event space.

However, IFA Berlin organiser Messe Berlin has reported “huge interest” from brands, manufacturers and retailers who want to visit the show and see products in real life.

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And it has stated some exhibition segments are seeing “unprecedented” levels of interest and are reserved by more than 80%.

CEO of Messe Berlin Martin Ecknig commented: “IFA Berlin is the world’s most inspiring tech event, and completely unique in its depth and breadth of showcasing the global technology industry – from start-ups to the biggest consumer electronics brand in the world.

“The message we hear from our industry is loud and clear: ‘Tech is Back in Berlin’ and ready to meet with retailers, media and consumers – safely, but in real life.”

Chairman of the supervisory board of gfu Consumer & Home Electronics Kai Hillebrandt said: “It’s been a tough year for everybody, but out industry has innovated and worked really hard to help people cope and be resilient – to make it possible to stay connected with friends and families, to work from home, to stay healthy and even entertain ourselves at a time of lockdowns and other restrictions. Now we are ready to showcase our innovation for the future beyond.”

Messe Berlin highlighted it is in constant contact with public health authorities as they develop concepts to ensure the safety of visitors and exhibitors alike.

IFA executive director and executive vice president of Messe Berlin Jens Heithecker stated: “As always, keeping our visitors and exhibitors safe is our top priority.

“The global vaccination effort if gaining huge momentum, while tough lockdowns are finally beginning to pay off – which gives us confidence that we can invite the world to come to Berlin in September for IFA 2021.”

He continued: “Of course, with all our precautions to ensure everybody’s good health, we don’t expect IFA Berlin 2021 to set new records. However, the trend is clear: IFA Berlin is set for a full-scale comeback, to lead our industry through once more.”

Last year’s special edition – a tightly controlled, three-day real-life event augmented by a virtual exhibition space had 145,900 visitors onsite and online, from 100 countries, to see 1,570 exhibitors.