CES '12 Sets New Attendance Records

By Steve Smith -- TWICE, 1/17/2012

Las Vegas - The 2012 International CES was the largest in the event's 44-year history, with a record numbers of attendees, exhibitors and show floor space, according to its owner and producer, the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA).

The initial attendance figure was 153,000, including more than 34,000 international visitors, according to CEA, which conducts an independent audit of attendance at the International CES, Verified figures will be available in the spring.

The record number of exhibitors was 3,100 across the largest show floor in CES history -- 1.861 million net square feet of exhibit space.

CEA estimated that more than 20,000 new products were launched at the 2012 CES, which also featured top executives participating in keynote sessions, including those from Qualcomm, Mercedes, Wal-Mart, Intel, Ford, Verizon, Unilver, Ford, eBay, GE, Google and Facebook. Executive delegations from thousands of global companies, from Apple to Zeo, attended the 2012 CES to meet with current and future customers. 

CEA said it is currently reviewing requests for 2013 CES keynotes and will be making announcements in the coming months. In addition, the 2013 International CES is already generating significant interest as space selection for next year's show has already begun. The International CES will return to Las Vegas from Jan. 8-11, 2013.

For example, 95,000 square feet of exhibit space in the 2013 CES iLounge Pavilion has already sold, and Mazda and BMW have committed to 2013 CES exhibit space, along with Ford, Kia, Audi and Hyundai, creating an even larger Apple-related product and automotive presence at the 2013 CES.

"The 2012 CES was the most phenomenal show in our history, generating more energy and excitement across every major industry touching technology than ever before," said Gary Shapiro, president/CEO of CEA, in a statement. "CES is the change agent, the catalyst, that brings executives from a wide range of industries together and helps them create better ways of doing business together. The breadth and depth of the 2012 CES, which featured more innovative technology products than anywhere else on Earth, is a testament to the dynamic and innovative global consumer technology industry, which will reach $1 trillion globally this year."

For more news on the 2012 International CES, visit www.twice.com/channel/International_CES_2012.php and look for the upcoming Jan. 23 and Jan. 30 post-show issues of TWICE.