CEA Concludes Historic First Visit To Middle East

May 17, 2007

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), the world's largest lifestyle electronics association, has concluded its historic first visit to Dubai, which took place at the Hometech trade exhibition - the region's leading trade fair for consumer technology, home automation and lifestyle electronics. Over the course of the three days of the show, a delegation of the CEA's Board of Industry Leaders presented a series of seminars and panel discussions on the future of the industry, paving the way for further business in the region's rapidly expanding consumer electronics market. Addressing an audience of journalists and industry professionals, Mr. Gary Shapiro, President and CEO of the CEA, spoke of the challenges and opportunities that the local market presented his organisation. An acknowledged world leading authority on high definition television broadcasts, Mr. Shapiro has testified on the subject in front of the US Congress on several occasions, earning himself the title; ‘The Father of HDTV.' "The Middle East region is experiencing tremendous growth with more than $47 billion invested in new housing construction in the UAE alone," he said. "This surge in economic growth provides incredible opportunities for consumer technology companies looking to expand their brand internationally. The CEA is thrilled to sponsor Hometech and looks forward to further expanding the consumer technology industry in the Middle East," he added. Other Executives from the CEA's Board of Industry Leaders also delivered speeches during the daily conferences, availing the audience of their expertise in their fields. They included Noel Lee from Monster Cable, Jay McLellan, President and CEO of Home Automation Inc. and Todd Thibodeaux, the CEA's Senior Vice President of Industry Relations. The summit was the first time that anyone representing the world's largest consumer electrical organisation has spoken in the Middle East. "Dubai is clearly the gateway for companies wishing to expand their reach to Middle Eastern markets," said Mr. Jason Oxman, Head of Corporate Communications for the CEA. "The phenomenal growth of the economy and unprecedented construction boom across the region has not gone unnoticed across the world and certainly in the United States, where the CEA represents over 2,000 such companies, Dubai is seen as a strategic hub to expand business opportunities globally," he added. Additional topics up for discussion during the two days of seminars and panel discussions were home automation, household wireless communication systems and current trends in lifestyle electronics. "It was a great honour and privilege to have had such distinguished industry leaders address Hometech 2007," said Ms. Suman Manning-Lizotte, Show Manager for Messe Frankfurt, the organisers of the exhibition. "They have a wealth of knowledge and experience in what is a burgeoning regional market and we look forward to further co-operation with the CEA in the future," she added. Produced by Messe Frankfurt and sponsored by the CEA, Hometech Middle East concluded yesterday at the Dubai International Conference and Exhibition Centre. Over 300 companies from 23 countries showcased products and services from the consumer technology world. It is estimated that more than 5,000 visitors attended over the three days of the exhibition. Notes and contacts 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. About The Largest International Trade Fair The Largest International Trade Fair for Home technology, Hometech Middle East is the one and only trade fair for home entertainment, home automation, home appliances and domestic devices to source business in the Gulf States, the wider Middle East, North and East Africa, the CIS and the Indian Subcontinent. There is no other exhibition in the Middle East that delivers the quality and variety of buyers and distributors. Hometech Middle East is the largest gathering of home technology professionals in the Middle East. About the Messe Frankfurt Dubai team The Messe Frankfurt Dubai team has over 20 years experience of organising international trade fairs throughout the world. The successful portfolio of events they organise in Dubai include Intersec, Materials Handling, Hardware + Tools, Garden + Landscaping Middle East, ISH - kitchen + bath, Light Middle East, Beautyworld Middle East, Wellness & Spas Middle East, Hometech Middle East, Design Lifestyle Middle East, Automechanika Middle East, Emirates Today Ideal Home Show and the Middle East Toy Fair. Messe Frankfurt is a subsidiary of Messe Frankfurt, the world's second largest trade fair organiser conducting over 100 events worldwide with 15 subsidiaries across Europe, Asia, America, Africa and the Middle East.

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