The weird world behind the scenes at Europe's largest tech show

Welcome to IFA, the largest technology tradeshow in Europe. Held in Berlin, Germany, the show sees tech giants like Samsung, Sony, LG and many more come together to launch their latest gadgets.

CNET attends the show every year to get first looks at all the new gear, but it's behind the scenes where the most interesting sights are often found.

Click through to see what it's like to report from this big show.

Samsung holds its launch events at the Tempodrom in Berlin, which doesn't always have the wonderful glowing orb above it. This year, it was the site of the launch of the new Gear S3 smartwatch.

The IFA show halls are full of stages where brands do a variety of things to drum up interest for their products. We have no idea what's going on here.

What says 'audio quality' quality better than a giant military truck?

A gaggle of tech journalists photographing a dancer in a private bar is a normal sight at IFA.

Asus' press conference took us down to the docks.

Before the show opens to the public, press are able to walk around freely -- even though the stands aren't fully constructed and there's rubbish everywhere.

There are a lot of escalators in the show halls. CNET's Luke Westaway loves escalators.

It's important to enjoy local delicacies when you're in town. The CNET team is about to drink a few.

Roger Cheng flaunts the Samsung Gear S3 smartwatch.

The food options are not great at IFA.

A Sony rep and his train set.

CNET video producer Jonathan Garnham hauls his equipment around all day, making him something of a trooper.

What a handsome pair!

From left to right, Luke Westaway and Andrew Hoyle hide under the branches of a tree to record an episode of the CNET UK podcast. Tree leaves do not make for good audio production.

The walkways between halls are littered with packing crates.

I don't know what this man thinks he's up to.

Luke Westaway tries out Samsung's Gear VR bungee jump. One of a variety of challenges and games you'll find around the halls.

A policeman tries out the Samsung Galaxy Note 7. Possibly to check for battery safety.

This robot sketching arm is not an optional accessory for the Note 7.

Important meetings often happen in the front section of pedal boats at IFA.

I don't know what this is or why it's here.

The mascot of IFA -- Miss IFA -- seen in the flesh on the show floor. A rare treat.

Kent German and Rich Trenholm working hard in the glorious IFA press room.

LG used its OLED TVs to create a tunnel featuring the Northern Lights over Iceland.

Three hip-thrusting robots, dancing in unison in front of children. Standard.

It's important to keep fit however you can, such as while on this bike at IFA.

Samsung treated us to a beach.

Luke Westaway says an emotional goodbye to IFA as we leave on the last day.

A boy-bin-robot, trundling around and singing. We don't know why.

Jonathan Garnham relaxes as only a CNET video producer can.