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2007 January/February Issue
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Shapiro's Spectrum
Sporty at Forty
.jpg) Reaching 40 for many people is a milestone portending mid-life. For some, it is a time of crisis. For others, it is a time of celebration. For most, it is a time of reflection.
For trade shows, the age of 40 is rarely reached. Well-known icons like Comdex, E3, NCC and VSDA flamed brightly, flickered and transformed.
But the International CES is strong at 40. The CES beacon draws giants from several industries and from around the globe. They come for a front row seat to see first-hand more than 2,700 companies' vision of a better world where information, entertainment and education can be easily accessed, stored and managed.
Although the Consumer Electronics Association owns and produces the International CES, our staff knows that everyone in the industry feels CES ownership and pride. Our Board and our staff care about the event and its role in promoting the industry. We work hard to make it a business atmosphere which fosters connections to create sales, strategies and partnerships-all of which make the world a better place.
We work hard to make it a business atmosphere which fosters connections to create sales, strategies and partnerships-all of which make the world a better place.
It is an article of faith with our staff and Board that we hold a sacred trust with the CES. We run CES so that anyone with a new product idea can, for a few thousand dollars, expose it to media, buyers and investors. We try to respect the time and investment of our guests, whether from abroad, government or U.S. companies.
We have succeeded so far because we have a big tent. We have a broad reach with some 25 partnerships for each CES. We join with more than 100 "allied associations." We advertise with more than 100 magazine partners. We promote, plan and love the excitement and opportunity that is CES.
I attended my first CES as a consultant in 1981 and vowed to myself I would be part of the event. More than 25 years later, I remain grateful, proud and still amazed that I am part of the greatest show in the greatest industry.
Enjoy the show. For the old timers-get the ribbon for your badge indicating how many years since your first show. For you newbies, carry on the legacy and remember that some day at the 50th or 75th anniversary you will be telling the war stories and showing how many years you attended.
To all, thank you for being what makes CES special. Although it's only 40, the best is yet to come!
Five Facts about CES
1. The International CES is the world's largest consumer technology tradeshow.
2. This year the exhibit space is 11 times greater than the first CES. The 1.7 million net square feet equals roughly 35 football fields.
3. 25,000 international attendees come to CES-the same number of people who ran the 2006 Los Angeles Marathon.
4. Last year, 100,000 cups of Starbucks coffee were sold (9,000 gallons) at CES-enough to fill a tanker truck.
5. A person walking the full 65 miles of carpet on the show floor would burn 6,500 calories.
For more information about the show, visit www.CESweb.org. V
Gary Shapiro
President and CEO
Consumer Electronics Association
January/February 2007
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