International CES Highlights Digital Technology

World's Largest Technology Event Showcases The Products That Facilitate Consumers' Active Lives

15-Jan-01

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) announced that 122,422 industry professionals from 120 countries came to Las Vegas to see the cutting edge in digital technology at the 2001 International CES. The world's largest annual technology trade show featured 1.2 million net square feet of exhibit space and four days of conference sessions, keynote speeches and exhibits of the latest developments in consumer electronics technology.""CES reflected the exciting pulse of the technology industry. Manufacturers, retailers, content providers and creators, broadband developers, installers, engineers, corporate buyers, government leaders, financial analysts and the media all flocked to the show to experience and learn about the latest in ëworkstyleí and lifestyle technology,"" said Gary Shapiro, President and CEO of CEA, the sponsor, producer and manager of CES. ""This year's CES exceeded all of our expectations. We set records for exhibit space and attendance in many categories, including a record number of high level government officials. Moreover, the move to a consolidated venue transformed CES into a four-day connected community.""The 2001 attendance total slightly surpassed 2000's record of 122,244 and far exceeded CEA's initial projections of 110,000. Independently audited attendance numbers from ABC Expomark for the 2001 International CES will be released later this spring. Endorsed by the International Association of Exposition Management (IAEM), Expomark provides independent third-party audits and industry-developed standards for exhibition attendance, demographic claims and record-keeping systems. CES is the largest tradeshow audited by Expomark and normally is accurate within five percentage points of its post-show attendance estimates.The resounding theme of the 2001 International CES was the role of digital technology in consumer electronics. Exhibitors showcased products as varied and disparate as high definition televisions, wireless Web access devices and MP3-enabled wrist watches, all of which demonstrated the value that digital technology adds to traditional products and services. The 2001 show also featured a wide array of new product and business partnership announcements, including the official unveiling of Microsoft's Xbox.""This year's CES showed attendees the power that digital technology can add to their lives,"" said Karen Chupka, CEA Vice President of Events and Conferences. ""Digital technology is bringing us ever closer to the promise of a networked world - a world in which consumer electronics devices seamlessly connect and communicate with each other to make consumers' lives and work more enjoyable and less complicated.""Off the exhibit floor, 110 conference sessions and four keynote speeches by industry giants echoed the digital theme, and educated attendees on new profit opportunities and business models. Among the leading industry experts who presented at these sessions were:- Craig Barrett, President and CEO, Intel- Bill Gates, Chairman and Chief Software Architect, Microsoft Corp.- Barry Schuler, President of Interactive Services, America Online Inc.- Kari-Pekka Wilska, President and CEO, Nokia Inc.- Carl Yankowski, CEO, Palm Inc.- Senator Conrad Burns (R-MT)- Congressman Bob Erlich (R-MD)- Senator Bill Frist (R-TN)- Herbie Hancock, Academy AwardÆ-winning jazz musician and five-time GrammyÆ winner- Congressman Darrell Issa (R-CA)- FCC Commissioner Michael Powell- Congressman Bobby Rush (D-IL)- Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA)- Congressman Jerry Weller (R-IL)""The energy and momentum from this year's show will continue to build throughout the year and make the 2002 International CES even more exciting,"" said Chupka. ""With the new expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center, the 2002 CES will have room to host exhibitors all under one roof, making it easier for attendees to see the entire show. Already, more than 1,040 companies have signed up for more than 1.1 million square feet of 2002 CES exhibit space during the past four days, an increase of 18 percent over exhibit space sold during the show days of the 2000 CES. The show floor will once again be filled with the latest and most exciting technologies in consumer electronics.""The 2002 International CES will be held Tuesday, January 8 through Friday, January 11 in the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas Hilton and Alexis Park Hotel. For more news on CES before, during and after the show, visit www.CESweb.org.

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