Blog Berlin, IFA and the power of genuine connections

At the beginning of September, when the exhibition halls open beneath the Funkturm, Berlin becomes the meeting place for five days during IFA for everything that could change our everyday lives. For technologies that will soon find their way into kitchens, living rooms, offices or pockets: consumer tech, smart devices, AI, gaming, health, mobility and new ideas for a connected life.

What is IFA Berlin?

IFA was founded in Berlin in 1924. Today, it is one of the most important international platforms in its sector and is a best case showing that tradition does not mean standing still. In 2025, around 220,000 visitors and more than 1,900 exhibitors came to Berlin. For event planners from all over the world, IFA is therefore more than a major tech trade fair. It shows what live formats need to achieve today: bringing people together, providing guidance, taking social issues seriously and creating experiences that stay in people’s minds.

We spoke to Leif Lindner, CEO of IFA Management GmbH, about why Berlin and IFA are such a good fit, the impact major events have on a city, and how the trade fair is evolving through sustainability, accessibility and “Innovation For All”.

Why, in your view, is Berlin the right location for a global innovation platform such as IFA?

Leif Lindner: IFA and Berlin belong together, and have done for over 100 years. This is where history and the future come together in a very special way. The city stands for internationality, creativity and a strong exchange between research, start-ups and industry. Today, Berlin is Germany’s leading tech hub, with a start-up ecosystem worth 169 billion Euro, including 57 unicorns. At the same time, almost 30 universities and more than 80 research institutions provide exactly the environment a global innovation platform needs. For a platform like IFA, which has been rooted in Berlin since 1924 and embodies the ambition of “Innovation For All”, there is no more credible location.

What economic impact and international appeal do major events such as IFA have for Berlin?

Leif Lindner: Major events such as IFA have an impact in two ways: economically and reputationally. Economically, they bring international guests to Berlin and strengthen the hotel sector, gastronomy, mobility and retail. In 2024, Berlin recorded 12.7 million guests, 30.6 million overnight stays and 17 billion Euro in tourism revenue. The Berlin Senate explicitly notes that leading trade fairs and top events help drive this development. Internationally, events such as IFA Berlin turn the city into a stage for future-focused topics. IFA 2025 brought together more than 1,900 exhibitors from 49 countries and around 220,000 visitors from 140 countries. This means Berlin is not only visited, but recognised worldwide as a centre of innovation.

Major events and trade fairs are increasingly having to address sustainability and social responsibility, such as accessibility. What approaches is IFA pursuing?

Leif Lindner: Our mission is: Innovation For All. We want innovation and technology to be accessible and tangible for everyone. Of course, that is a major goal, and one we are working towards step by step. We see sustainability and social responsibility as part of modern event quality. Firstly, we make the circular economy visible: through the partnership between IFA Berlin and the ⇢[Crade to Cradle NGO]⇠, we bring circular design, responsible use of resources and concrete impulses for business and politics to the stage. Secondly, we are working on genuine participation: together with Lebenshilfe Berlin, IFA has created inclusive offers, including free ticket allocations, free admission for assistants and accompanying family members, as well as guided tours in plain language. These efforts are further underlined by the partnership with Sozialhelden e. V. and the partnership with the Diversity Charter. Thirdly, we build on a location that is itself working on its transformation: Messe Berlin is fully accessible and is pursuing the goal of continuing to develop in a climate-friendly, socially equitable and economically efficient way by 2040. This includes Berlin’s largest solar installation and the transition to climate-friendly energy technologies.

How do you see IFA and Berlin as an innovation hub in ten years’ time?

Leif Lindner: In ten years’ time, I see IFA Berlin becoming an even stronger year-round platform. Not just five trade fair days, but a place where product innovations, retail, media, start-ups, Deep Tech and social debate are continuously brought together. In terms of content, topics such as AI, Deep Tech, Smart Living, Health Tech, Mobility and sustainable design will become even more closely interconnected. Berlin and IFA are already moving in exactly this direction: Berlin is expanding key structures and the Deep Tech Hub, while IFA is sharpening its profile in growth areas such as Content Creation, Computing & Gaming, Wellbeing & Beauty Tech, Mobility and IFA Next. My vision for 2036 is therefore clear: IFA Berlin will be even more international, even more forward-looking and even more connected.

• At the beginning of September, many international guests come to Berlin not only for IFA, but also for numerous other congresses, conferences and trade fairs. Our events calendar shows which other business events are taking place in Berlin. It is therefore advisable to book accommodation in good time to secure a suitable location and good availability.
• Allow plenty of time for your journey: Messe Berlin is easy to reach by public transport, including S-Bahn, U-Bahn and bus. Especially at peak times and on busy trade fair days, journeys can sometimes take a little longer.
• Meetings with exhibitors, partners and customers should ideally be arranged before the trade fair. This allows you to make efficient use of your stay and to maintain important contacts or establish new ones in a targeted way.
• Allow time for side events, networking and Berlin programmes. Many relevant business contacts are made not only at the trade fair stand, but also at events, receptions and informal gatherings around IFA.
• For international guests: alongside the trade fair, Berlin offers a wide range of culture, gastronomy, sights and event formats. This turns your visit into a varied Berlin experience too.