2007 International CES Defined by New Convergence of Broadband, Content and Consumer Electronics

WebKnowHow
Friday, January 12, 2007; 04:20 AM

With 1.8 million net square feet of exhibit space - the largest show floor in its history – and over 140,000 attendees from across the globe experiencing the latest consumer technology products from 2,700 exhibitors, the 2007 International CES reinforced its status as the world’s largest consumer technology tradeshow. Produced by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA®) and celebrating its 40th anniversary, the 2007 International CES ran January 8-11 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“The 2007 International CES succeeded beyond our expectations,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of CEA. “It had buzz and optimism and attracted the world leaders of the content, technology and services, communications and automobile industries.”

The CES show floor buzzed with more than 20,000 exciting product launches and major partnership announcements, spanning across industries and connecting consumers with more features, services and control of the content incorporated into electronic devices. A new convergence of CE devices emerged on the show floor, combining existing product categories with new digital content and services to create unique, multi-functional products.

“We had a record-breaking show with 2,700 exhibitors filling more than 1.8 million net square feet of show space,” said Karen Chupka, senior vice president of events and conferences at CEA. “The shift of our high-performance audio and home theater exhibitors to the Venetian, the 23 Tech Zones and the focus on qualified trade attendees combined to produce what many called the best ever International CES. We also set a record with international attendance of over 26,000.”

With high-definition television (HDTV) taking the industry by storm, a surge of display technologies debuted on the show floor, with record-breaking sizes and even greater resolution. Other technologies exploding on the show floor included the hottest products in digital imaging, robotics, in-vehicle entertainment, content-shifting devices and gaming. Additionally, the latest advancements in high-performance audio and home theater were on display at CES’ newest venue for 2007, the Sands Expo and Convention Center/The Venetian.

In addition to the world’s largest display of consumer electronics, the 2007 International CES also featured a distinguished lineup of industry speakers. Featured CES keynoters included Microsoft’s Bill Gates, Motorola’s Ed Zander, Disney’s Robert Iger, Dell’s Michael Dell and CBS’ Leslie Moonves. The CES Industry Insider Series, with a new home at the Las Vegas Hilton Theater, featured industry heavy-weights including Nokia’s Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo and Cisco’s John Chambers, as well as leading executives from major broadband, cable, satellite and telecommunications companies, and FCC Chairman Kevin Martin.

The International CES independently audits attendance and a final attendance number should be available by April. For more information on the 2007 International CES, including keynote transcripts, photos and a complete list of conference sessions, visit www.CESweb.org, the interactive source for all CES information.

The 2008 International CES is scheduled for January 7-10, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

About CEA:

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the consumer technology industry through technology policy, events, research, promotion and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA represents more than 2,100 corporate members involved in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and integration of audio, video, mobile electronics, wireless and landline communications, information technology, digital imaging, home networking, multimedia and accessory products, as well as related services that are sold through consumer channels. Combined, CEA's members account for more than $140 billion in annual sales. CEA's resources are available online at www.CE.org, the definitive source for information about the consumer electronics industry.

CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES – Defining Tomorrow’s Technology. All profits from CES are reinvested into industry services, including technical training and education, industry promotion, engineering standards development, market research and legislative advocacy.

UPCOMING EVENTS

-- CEA Winter Retreat
   February 26-28, 2007, Vail, CO

-- Digital Music Forum East
   February 27-28, 2007, New York, NY

-- EHX Spring 2007
   March 6-10, 2007, Orlando, FL

-- CEA Washington Forum
   March 26-28, 2007, Washington, DC

-- Digital Patriots Dinner
   March 27, 2007, Washington, DC

-- CONNECTIONS (TM): The Digital Home Conference and Showcase
   May 1-3, 2007, Santa Clara, CA

-- Hometech Middle East 2007
   May 13-15, 2007, Dubai, UAE

-- SINOCES 2007
   July 6-9, 2007, Qingdao, China

-- CEA Industry Forum
   October 15 - 17, 2007, San Diego, CA

-- EHX Fall 2007
   November 6-9, 2007, Long Beach, CA