Bill Gates Of Microsoft To Present Opening Keynote At The 2001 International CES

First Time Gates To Give Opening Keynote Address At CES

8-Aug-00

The International CES announced that Bill Gates, chairman and chief software architect of Microsoft Corp., will deliver the Opening Keynote address at its 2001 show. The 2001 International CES-Your Source for Workstyle and Lifestyle Technology will be held January 6-9 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The leading worldwide provider of software for the personal computer, Microsoft had revenues of $19.75 billion for the fiscal year ending June 1999, and employs more than 32,000 people in 60 countries. ""We are delighted to have Bill Gates return to CES and speak at our 2001 show,"" said Gary Shapiro, President of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), the sponsor, manager and producer of CES. ""Microsoft's software is one of the key technology platforms showcased in hundreds of products at CES-from lifestyle products such as WebTV and home networking to workstyle products such as AutoPC and palmtops.""Gates' foresight and vision regarding personal computing have been central to the success of Microsoft and the software industry. Gates is actively involved in key management and strategic decisions at Microsoft, and plays an important role in the technical development of new products. A significant portion of his time is devoted to meeting with customers and staying in contact with Microsoft employees around the world through e-mail. Under Gates' leadership, Microsoft's mission is to continually advance and improve software technology and to make it easier, more cost-effective and more enjoyable for people to use computers. The company is committed to a long-term view, reflected in its investment of more than $3.8 billion on research and development in the current fiscal year.In 1999, Gates wrote ""Business @ The Speed Of Thought,"" a book that shows how digital processes can solve business problems in fundamentally new ways. Co-authored by Collins Hemingway, the book was published in 25 languages and is available in more than 60 countries. In addition to his passion for computers, Gates is interested in biotechnology. He sits on the board of the Icos Corp. and is a shareholder in Darwin Molecular, a subsidiary of British-based Chiroscience. He also founded Corbis Corp. Gates also has invested with cellular telephone pioneer Craig McCaw in Teledesic.Bill and his wife, Melinda Gates, have endowed a foundation with more than $17 billion to support philanthropic initiatives in the areas of global health and learning. Gates will deliver his speech Saturday, January 6, 2001, from 8:30-10am in the Las Vegas Hilton Theater. For more news on CES, visit www.CESweb.org, the interactive source for CES information.CEA, a sector of the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA), represents more than 600 U.S. companies involved in the development, manufacturing and distribution of audio, video, mobile electronics, communications, information technology, multimedia and accessory products, as well as related services that are sold through consumer channels. Combined, these companies account for more than $60 billion in annual sales.CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES - Your Source for Workstyle and Lifestyle 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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