Trade Show Wrapup

International CES is world’s largest consumer technology trade show

Independent audit confirms executive attendance at ’09 show

ARLINGTON, Va. — The International CES released an independent audit that verifies CES’ status as the world’s largest consumer technology trade show and North America’s largest tradeshow of any kind.

The audit, performed by VERIS Consulting LLC, confirmed that the 2009 International CES drew 113,085 industry professionals during the trade show’s four-day run in Las Vegas, Nev., January 8-11. The audit confirms and exceeds the on-site released estimate of 110,000.

VERIS is certified by the Exhibition and Event Industry Audit Commission to perform audits. The VERIS audit differentiates the International CES from other industry tradeshows in that each CES attendee is only counted once, and only sold exhibit space is used to calculate show size, versus other events that include complimentary and bartered space and show usage space such as registration areas.

“This audit report confirms that the 2009 International CES succeeded, despite an economic downturn, in attracting top executives, retail buyers, content providers, entertainment executives, venture capitalists, engineers, government officials and media from around the globe,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, Consumer Electronics Association, producer of CES. “Our CES exhibitors commend us on attracting top-level decision makers, which allowed them to start the year off right by doing a considerable amount of business with global partners.”

This year 2,700 worldwide companies, including 300 new exhibitors, unveiled an estimated 20,000 new technology products across 1.7 million net square feet of exhibit space on the CES show floor.

More, 140 countries were represented by 22,000 international attendees. The largest contingents of attendees from outside the United States came from the following countries: Canada, Japan, Korea, Mexico, United Kingdom, China, France, Taiwan, Germany, Hong Kong, Australia, Israel and Sweden.

Major name companies in the audio, accessories, broadcasting, cable, content, digital imaging, electronic gaming, emerging technology, home networking, home theater, mobile electronics, video and wireless industries continue to use CES as the catalyst for new technologies. More than 4,500 attendees represented companies with more than $500 million in total annual sales.

A leading number of senior level executives and final decision makers conduct business at CES. According to the VERIS audit, 46 percent of all attendees were senior level executives, director level and above, on par with last year, and more than 20 percent of attendees were presidents, CEOs or business owners. More than one third of attendees are final decision makers when it comes to new product purchases and partnerships.

The audit also confirms that CES attracts business leaders from diverse areas including entertainment, retail, education, engineering and venture capital industries. This year, more than 12,000 buyers, 6,000 manufacturers and 2,800 engineers came to CES along with more than 6,000 attendees from the software development/publishing, content development and entertainment industries.

The International CES also brings together a large concentration of top government officials. Policymakers from the United States Congress, Department of Commerce, Department of State, Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the United States International Trade Commission (USITC) were all on hand.

Each year, influential media and analysts attend the show to report on the latest products and trends in the consumer technology realm. The 2009 CES drew more than 4,500 media and 1,500 financial and market analysts.

This CES audit provides verification of exhibition records, including direct on-site observation, examination of registration systems and testing of attendee records. Post-show analysis includes direct confirmation sampling, reconciliation of attendance lists, elimination of duplicate names and verification of demographic data with the source of documentation.

Final audit numbers can differ from estimates given on-site due to additional badge pick-ups and badge reader reports. This audit complies with the industry standards for audits adopted by the International Association of Exhibition Management in August 2004.In addition, CEA is a member of the Exhibition and Events Industry Audit Council, which is responsible for determining standard guidelines for conducting trade show audits.

The 2010 International CES is scheduled for January 7-10 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the $172 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry. More than 2,200 companies enjoy the benefits of CEA membership, including legislative advocacy, market research, technical training and education, industry promotion and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES — Where Entertainment, Technology and Business Converge. All profits from CES are reinvested into CEA's industry services. Find CEA online at www.CE.org.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• CONNECTIONS: The Digital Living Conference and Showcase — June 2-4, 2009, Santa Clara, Calif.
• CEA Line Shows and Digital Downtown Conference Program — June 10-11, 2009, New York, N.Y.
• 13th Annual CEO Summit — June 17-20, 2009, Dana Point, Calif.
• SINOCES 2009 — July 9-12, 2009, Qindao, China
• 2009 CEA Industry Forum —  October 18-21, 2009, Phoenix, Ariz.
• 2009 i-stage —  October 19, 2009, Phoenix, Ariz.
• Digital Hollywood Fall — October 19-22, 2009, Los Angeles, Calif.
• CES New York Press Preview featuring CES Unveiled @ NY — November 10, 2009, New York, N.Y.
• Future of Television East — November 18-19, 2009, New York, NY..
• 2010 International CES — January 7-10, 2010, Las Vegas, Nev.