The Home of the Consumer Electronics Industry Has A New Name: Introducing The Consumer Electronics Association

In a move designed to position itself for continued growth and leadership in the consumer electronics field, the Consumer Electronics Manufacturers Association (CEMA) unveiled Friday its new incarnation: the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). The announcement comes on the heels of a decision made earlier this week by the Board of Governors of the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) to allow separate incorporation for its sector associations. ""Goodbye CEMA. Hello CEA,"" said CEA President Gary Shapiro. ""CEMA has served us well, but CEA better reflects the excitement and innovation of the consumer electronics (CE) industry. Our membership base is broadening as we welcome new information technology and Internet companies to our core constituency of traditional CE manufacturers. The flexibility of the CEA name captures the changes occurring among our membership and in our industry as companies move from solely serving as manufacturing entities to become e-commerce providers, service companies and high-technology enterprises. It allows us to maintain our leadership position representing the traditional CE space while positioning us for future growth."" ""But this is more than just a name change,"" continued Shapiro. ""This is the birth of a new, separately incorporated organization. We are working with industry leaders to develop a governance structure that allows for growth and increased efficiency. We are working to better tailor our services and strategic plans to our members. And we are working to create our own culture to reflect the dynamism of our industry."" Shapiro said that CEA will continue many of the products and conferences ñ such as consumer and market research, the International CES and the DTV Summits ñ that helped make CEMA the leading trade association representing all sectors of the consumer electronics industry. Transfer of CEMAís assets to CEA will be completed by year-end. ""CEA is much like a start-up enterprise,"" Shapiro proclaimed. ""But unlike many start-ups, we begin with a solid financial base, an energetic, dedicated and entrepreneurial staff and strong products in the International CES, our conference programs and our unparalleled research functions. Itís a strong recipe for success."" Shapiro added that CEA will retain a leadership position within EIA, providing representatives to serve on EIAís governing body and cooperating on legislative and regulatory issues of mutual concern. ""As one of the largest sectors of EIA, we believe in supporting the alliance concept and leveraging the power of a close affiliation as needed,"" said CEA Chairman Darrell Issa. ""CEA is now positioned to pursue new directions and products to help grow and support the CE industry and stand as the single voice of the consumer electronics industry in the United States."" Handing Over the Keys to the City In conjunction with the birth of CEA, Shapiro also announced the redesign of the associationís Web site, www.CEMAcity.org. In late November, the site will obtain a new domain name ñ CE.org (www.CE.org). The site has been reorganized and streamlined to provide more intuitive access to information and create links between specific CEA initiatives and information about specific products and product categories. It also serves as the gateway to other CEA Web sites including Ebrain.org (offering market and consumer research), DTVweb.org, CESweb.org and TechHome.org (covering the integrated home systems and home networking sectors). ""Just as we have changed our name, weíve renamed, redesigned and reenergized our Web presence to serve as the definitive source for information about the consumer electronics industry,"" declared Shapiro. ""Soon, our new domain name will make us easier to find amidst the clutter of the Web. At this new address, we will continue to provide the information our members, retailers, the media and consumers need to follow CEAís activities and help understand our industry. Itís a way for all audiences to plug into the excitement of the CE industry."" CEA (formerly CEMA) is a sector of the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA), the 75-year-old Arlington, Virginia-based trade organization representing all facets of electronics manufacturing. CEA represents more than 500 U.S. manufacturers of audio, video, accessories, mobile electronics, communication, information technology and multimedia products that are sold through consumer channels. CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES ñ Your Source for Workstyle and Lifestyle Technologyô. All profits from CES are reinvested into industry services, including technical training and education, product promotion, engineering standards development, market research and governmental and legal affairs support. As the first major technology event of the new millennium, the 2000 International CES is the launch pad for 21st century technology.