January 12, 2006

• New expo event parallel to CeBIT: "Digital Living" in Hall 27
• Where the digital way of life truly comes to life!
• Open daily from 9 a .m. to 10 p.m.

Deutsche Messe AG has teamed up with the media enterprise CMP-WEKA to stage the new stand-alone event "Digital Living" in Hall 27 at CeBIT 2006 (9 to 15 March). As its name implies, this new highlight will examine the impact of IT on our everyday lives. It will present a fascinating blend of emotional appeal and information value. For several years now, "Consumer Electronics" has been a highly successful exhibit category within CeBIT, and major players such as Deutsche Telekom, Intel, LG, Microsoft, Panasonic, Samsung and Sharp have been increasingly demonstrating how the way we live and work is being revolutionized by innovations in IT and telecom-munications. In the words of Deutsche Messe AG Board Member Ernst Raue: "In today's digital world, work and living are two parts of an inseparable whole. ‘Digital Living' pays tribute to this by treating the retail trade, consumers and other end users to an exhilarating lifestyle showcase featuring diverse manufacturers and service providers in a common space."

"Digital Living" is an event in its own right and will take place every day from 9.00 a .m. to 10.00 p.m. Admission costs EUR10.00 (Holders of CeBIT tickets are entitled to free entry.)

CeBIT has traditionally showcased the entire digital world, ranging from business applications to consumer electronics. ‘Digital Living' deliberately appeals to the emotions. "Hannover will break new ground and offer visitors an innovative blend of professional product presentation and emotive content – and hence generate genuine added value," Raue adds.

Hall 27 will set new standards in terms of interior design. Several large stages will be augmented by a variety of "theme islands" and product presentations, where visitors will be able to get a firm grasp on key applications such as HDTV, home cinema, digital photography, hi-fi, telecommunications, navigation, mobile computing and gaming.

As Thorsten Koster, Managing Director of CMP-WEKA explains: "Launching such an inter-company display of consumer electronics calls for an impartial adjudicator, and this is where we come in. We are shaping this new and unprecedented concept in close dialogue with experts from various backgrounds, and experiencing a very positive echo from the manufacturing community."

Experienced TV announcers will be on hand to guide visitors through the "Digital Living" lecture program and to generate a truly exciting atmosphere. They will be joined by journalists from numerous publishing houses and media companies, as well as highly qualified experts from research institutes and independent test labs. Their job will be to deal with technical issues and queries.

Dealers and sales professionals will profit from a special service at "Digital Living": The theme islands will be manned by professional coaches who will be more than willing to provide free advice on how to boost sales in myriad segments of the consumer electronics market. The program will be rounded off by prize award ceremonies, show acts, as well as presentations staged by the various participating manufacturers. "Digital Living" will receive extensive coverage on radio and TV, in the print media and on the Internet.