Gary Shapiro, President and CEO

Gary Shapiro authored the 2011 New York Times bestseller The Comeback: How Innovation Will Restore the American Dream (Beaufort) and a chapter from the Inside the Minds series on "Capitalizing on Business Innovation." Shapiro also writes a weekly column on leadership for Forbes.com and is a regular contributor to The Huffington Post. 

Speeches & Appearances

2012 CES: State of the CE Industry Address and Opening Technology and Evolving Countries (TEC) Keynote
January 10, 2012
2012 International CES

CES Unveiled
November 8, 2011
New York, NY

CoreNet Global Summit
November 7, 2011
Atlanta, GA

Business Facilities LiveXchange
October 24, 2011
San Diego, CA

Milken Institute Forum
September 21, 2011
Santa Monica, CA

IBC Leader's Summit
September 8, 2011
Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Chautauqua Institution Lecture Series
August 15, 2011
Chautauqua, New York

Fortune Brainstorm: TECH
July 20, 2011
Aspen, CO

National Journal
July 13, 2011
Washington, DC

Variety Venture Capital and New Media Summit
July 8, 2011
Beverly Hills, CA

SINOCES Keynote
July 6, 2011
Qingdao, China

CEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro delivered a keynote address at the 2011 SINOCES, China's largest tradeshow for consumer technology. Organized by the Qingdao Municipal People's Government in conjunction with the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronics Products (CCCME) and sponsored by CEA, the 2011 SINOCES took place July 7-10 in Qingdao, China.

CE Week Welcome Keynote
June 23, 2011
New York, NY

"I hope you agree with me that innovation is everything in America, because this morning we are introducing a new component of CEA's Innovation Movement, and it involves all of you: The Declaration of Innovation.

As we anticipate the upcoming July 4th holiday and celebrate the founding of our great nation, open to immigrants, with freedom for all, we ask you to sign on to this declaration, and declare that innovation is - and should continue to be - a key national priority and strategy for our nation."

The Commonwealth Club
June 7, 2011
San Francisco, CA

Intelligent Community Forum
June 1, 2011
New York, NY

ECEF
June 1, 2011
Washington, DC

Grover Norquist’s Wednesday Meeting
May 18, 2011
Washington, DC

TV of Tomorrow Show
May 17, 2011
San Francisco, CA

CEA Digital Patriots Dinner
May 11, 2011
Washington, D.C. 

"Good evening and welcome to our seventh annual Digital Patriots Dinner. At this dinner we join to celebrate innovation and to honor leaders who understand that technology improves lives."

Heritage Foundation
April 19, 2011
Washington, D.C.

Bloomberg Empowered Entrepreneur
April 14, 2011
New York, NY

Bertelsmann Foundation Financial Conference
April 14, 2011
Washington, D.C.

SISO CEO Summit
April 12, 2011
Bonita Springs, FL

Binghamton University Forum
March 31, 2011
Binghamton, NY

Innovation Teleconference Center for Policy on Emerging Technologies and Task Force on American Innovation
March 23, 2011
Washington, D.C.

Government Business Executive Forum
March 23, 2011
McLean, VA

The Churchill Club
YouTube Link
March 15, 2011
Palo Alto, CA

Digital Music Forum East
February 23, 2011
New York, NY

Media Institute
February 9, 2011
Washington, DC

"In all truth, none of us know what technology will bring in 2021. Indeed, we can only imagine what new technology in the labs today will change the world next month or next year. But we do know one thing for sure. Whether it is bringing a family closer together for Friday night movie night in the home theater, allowing an unemployed worker to pursue a college degree online, or letting a brave service member see a newborn child via the Internet, better technology and a focus on innovation is our destiny and we must fight for it as a national goal."

AlwaysOn OnMedia Conference
February 1, 2011
New York, NY

Congressional Internet Caucus “State of the Net” Conference
January 18, 2011
Washington, DC

2011 International CES 
January 6, 2011
Las Vegas, NV
Watch video

"Each January, the world's most important technology leaders journey to this unique city to see, hear, touch and experience the future. The start of the calendar year is also our industry's showcase. Our rejuvenation. Our statement to the world that the future is bright and full of innovation."

PR News Public Affairs Conference,
National Press Club
May 25, 2010
Washington, DC

"Technology by definition changes the status quo. And someone is always defending the status quo. Technology creates entire industries that weren't there five years, and destroys those that were born 100 years ago. This cycle of innovation is ruthless, but vital to the continued growth of our economy. Because if we don't invent it, you better believe someone else will."

2010 International CES | Watch video.
January 7, 2010
Las Vegas, NV

"I believe [this year's] record amount of innovation stems from many sources. Some announcements have been years in the planning. But many come from entrepreneurial companies, big and small, realizing that the harsh recession creates winners and losers. And it also creates not only the opportunity - but the necessity to break out and do something different."

Media Institute
October 15, 2009
Washington, DC

"We join together tonight because we cherish the First Amendment. Let us honor it by recognizing and returning to innovation and creativity as a national strategy, which will ensure our continued greatness. Let us carry the First Amendment not only as a shield against liability, but as a competitive differentiator."

National Press Club
June 16, 2009
Washington, DC

"Not everyone will join the CEA Innovation Movement, nor will everyone support its agenda. There are those who believe that innovation is too disruptive and that the change that innovation brings is too risky. To them I say: innovation is disruptive. But in good times and bad, innovation drives us forward."

Northern Virginia Technology Council
March 13, 2009
Reston, VA

"I am proud to lead an industry that is so vital to the success of our nation. I am also proud that our industry cares enough about our nation and our legacy to allow me to stand before you and urge you to loudly question our government. Too few of our voices are heard in Washington. Don't be silent! Now is the time to act. Our grandchildren will never forgive us if we don't."

Media Institute
February 17, 2009
Washington, DC

"For 25 years, the ability to create, manipulate, shift, manage and display content has propelled innovation and new products.  It has fueled a renaissance in creativity, expression and amazing economic growth."

2009 International CES Keynote Address
January 8, 2009
Las Vegas, NV

United Nations Meets Web 2.0 and ICT Entrepreneurs
March 25, 2008
New York, NY

"Every person across the globe should have access to these tools. Technology should not be a privilege."

Media Institute
February 28, 2008
Washington, DC

"The marketplace is working. The transition is working. We are 355 days away from a vital milestone in our digital destiny."

Detroit Economic Club
February 25, 2008
Troy, MI

"Change defines our era.  It is the campaign theme of the remaining leading presidential candidates. But while candidates can only promise to change the world, technology guarantees it. To the Detroit automakers, I say this: The technology industry is your opportunity."

2008 International CES
January 7, 2008
Las Vegas, NV

"The success of our products, our industry, CES and our economy are not guaranteed - they stem from one source - a vibrant free market that encourages trade in innovative goods and services."

IBC 2007 Conference Keynote Address
September 7, 2007
Amsterdam, Netherlands

"New channels create new methods for people to consume news and entertainment. This challenges broadcasters. Viewers now expect the content they want, at the quality they want, where they want it, when they want it. However, if broadcasters can learn to anticipate consumer demand, adapt quickly, and take advantage of their assets, there is a bright future ahead."

SINOCES 2007 Keynote Address
July 6, 2007
Qingdao, China

"China is strategic and swift. It is no wonder the Chinese consumer electronics market is growing. By 2010 it will exceed $100 billion.  This rapid growth reflects a great strategy, the power of the Chinese economy and the strength of the global CE industry. Enjoyment and use of cool new technologies is universal and knows no national boundaries."

Future of Music Coalition
May 2, 2007
Washington, DC

"I submit that the demand for file sharing was created in large part by the recording industry's stubborn refusal to respond to consumer demand for access to digital music. The best evidence is that even after winning in the Supreme Court and shutting down the largest file sharing services, the RIAA still claims that piracy is its number one problem."

Shapiro: Fighting Piracy
March 16, 2007
Austin American-Statesman

"Piracy is wrong. It is theft. But a grandmother who wants to watch a movie on her bedroom TV instead of in the living room is not a pirate. A teenager who legally downloads a song on his computer and wants to listen to it on a different manufacturer's MP3 player is not a pirate."

2007 International CES Opening Keynote
January 8, 2007
Las Vegas, NV

"Digital technology is fundamentally changing the world. It is fostering this new convergence. We are at the starting line, but our teammates include content producers, programmers, software companies, service companies and broadband providers."

Content Providers Still Fear Innovation
January 4, 2007
Las Vegas Review-Journal

"Policy makers must work to ensure our role in the global marketplace by empowering U.S. companies with the means to remain competitive.  This means ensuring that intellectual property laws do not restrict our manufacturers' ability to innovate, or the consumer's ability to buy devices that make the most of the content they own."

Digital Technology, Content & Consumers - Connecting the Dots
2006 CONNECTIONS
May 3, 2006
Santa Clara, CA

"I'm here not to talk about the connected home, but rather the connected life.  Because in just six years, we've witnessed phenomenal technological, business, lifestyle - even global - changes born of the digital technology revolution. It's no longer just about what's inside the home and how we're controlling it all. Technology has burst through the walls of the home and permeates every aspect of modern life - from the home to the car to the office."

2006 Spring EHX Opening Keynote
March 30, 2006
Orlando, FL

"We must continue to assure the American consumer that digital television is clearer both in sound and picture and that digital is easy and offers more programming. It is our job; no, make that our duty, as industry affiliates and supporters, especially those of you on the front lines of retailing, to help make this transition as easy as possible for consumers. Mainstream Americans will be looking to all of us for information about this historic transition.  We must continue our way to making America a DTV nation!"

2006 International CES Opening Keynote
January 5, 2006
Las Vegas, NV

"What is CES? To me, it is more than a show.  It is a Mecca, a vision, a holy ground for those with dreams for a better world that technology can provide.  Our industry, the consumer electronics industry owns, loves, relies on and immerses itself in the International CES.  The CES represents the world's hope for its finest future - a future of products which change people's lives, bring them joy, teach them skills and keep them connected." 

SINOCES Keynote
July 1, 2005
Qingdao, China

"Tradeshows continue to provide unsurpassed value in bringing suppliers and customers together.  Tradeshows provide a place to do business that brings everyone together to meet industry players, see innovative products, learn from leaders in the field, and preview industry trends for the coming year - all in one location."