CEA Announces It Will Not Launch 2007 Gaming Event

October 17, 2006

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA(R)), owner and producer of the International Consumer Electronics Show(R) (CES(R)), today announced that it will not launch a 2007 gaming event. Based on industry feedback and a recent ESA announcement, Karen Chupka, senior vice president of events and conferences, CEA, issued the following statement: "At the request of our board, CEA spent the past few months soliciting industry feedback, via advisory committee meetings and a research survey, to determine the need for a new gaming event. During this process, we found a strong desire for a gaming event that included a broad array of the gaming industry, including PC and wireless gaming companies." "Although CEA was prepared to launch a new event, the recent announcement by ESA that it would open its event to both ESA and non-ESA members and would include PC and wireless gaming, led us to conclude that a new spring West Coast event would likely not serve the best needs of the industry. At this point, we will continue dialog with the industry to determine if the need for a broader gaming event exists for 2008." "We believe that consumer electronics are a vital part of the gaming experience. Broadband access, quality surround sound, large HD screens, portable video devices and cutting-edge furniture, all can make the gaming experience immersive. Gaming and consumer electronics are inseparable and we continue to look for ways to work together in our mutual interests." The 2007 International CES, scheduled for January 8-11 in Las Vegas, Nevada, has announced a new Gaming TechZone for interested exhibitors. Located in CES' Sands/Venetian exhibit space, the Gaming TechZone will allow gaming companies to showcase their products and technologies to the 2,700 exhibitors and more than 140,000 attendees from 130 countries that attend CES each year. For more information on the 2007 International CES, including conference sessions, TechZones, keynote speakers and registration information, visit http://www.CESweb.org, the interactive source for all International CES information. 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 $125 billion in annual sales. CEA's resources are available online at http://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.

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