New York – The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) officially began the promotional countdown for the 2013 International CES in January with its traditional press event, here, at the Metropolitan Pavilion Monday.
Karen Chupka, events and conferences senior VP for the CEA, said the 2013 show — to be held in Las Vegas Jan. 8-11 — is expected to draw 150,000 attendees from 150 countries (35,000 international attendees included), 3,000 exhibitors and approximately 1.8 million square feet of exhibit space, matching this year’s record attendance.
Chupka noted that space for the 2013 and 2014 CES will be limited because the CEA does not have access to parts of the Sands Convention Center as it has in the past.
In terms of special events and presentations, Gary Shapiro, president/CEO of the CEA, which owns and produces the show, said the Cloud-based UltraViolet video-sharing system will have a major presence during CES.
Craig Kornblau, president of Home Entertainment, Universal Studios, and VP of the Digital Entertainment Group (DEG), which is backing the format, told the press that there are 6 million accounts currently active, supported by 7,000 titles and 89 of the “biggest names in entertainment.”
While the details of the “presence” at CES were sketchy, there should be an UltraViolet showcase in the lobby of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) during the show.
The CEA has also continued to add new events and features. For instance, the International Academy of Web Television (IAWTV) Awards for excellence in web television will be presented during CES from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 8, at the Venetian, Level 2, Venetian Showroom. To find out more about the awards, go to IAWTVAwards.org.
CEA MoDev Hackathon will be held 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 9, at the Venetian. The CEA MoDev Hackathon is where developers compete in a live competition to see who’s got the best idea and the skills to bring it to life in just one day. Twenty-five teams of up to four people will compete for more than $25,000 in cash and prizes.
There will be a Global Matchmaking and International Reception, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 8, LVCC, South Hall Connector, Room S222 for International Attendees Only. All international attendees, exhibitors and press are invited.
And Shapiro will launch his second book, “Ninja Innovation: The Ten Killer Strategies of the World’s Most Successful Businesses,” on Tuesday, Jan. 8, at the LVCC’s Grand Lobby at the Barnes and Noble booth. The book, written by Shapiro but owned by the CEA with proceeds going to the organization, highlights innovators in technology over the years and how they have become successful by exhibiting “qualities of the legendary medieval warriors known as ninjas,” the CEA said.
The book is a companion tome to his first work, “The Comeback: How Innovation Will Restore the American Dream,” a 2011 best-seller.
Entering its third year, Entertainment Matters at CES is designed by and for Hollywood’s film, television and digital communities and is produced in conjunction with Variety.
Chupka noted that popular Tech Zones such as Digital Health & Fitness, the iLounge of Apple-related products, and Eureka Park, which highlights budding entrepreneurs and technology startups, will continue. For a complete list of Tech Zones, visit CE.org.
CES will also be the home of Brand Matters, sponsored by MediaLink, a new program for the show that is designed to provide the marketing and advertising community a customized CES experience, the CEA said. A Brand Matters keynote panel will be held during the show that will feature top advertising and marketing executives.
In terms of keynote speakers, Paul Jacobs, chairman and CEO of Qualcomm; Kazuhiro Tsuga, president of Panasonic; Lowell McAdam, chairman and CEO of Verizon; Stephen Woo, president of Samsung Electronics’ device solutions business; and CEA’s Shapiro will address the convention, with Chupka promising “more announcements soon.”
Finally, Shapiro said that the CEA has made a $50,000 donation to the American Red Cross Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund. The contribution will help offset costs of supplies, food, shelter and other assistance for the communities impacted by the storm. The CEA is encouraging those interested in helping Hurricane Sandy relief efforts to make a $10 donation by texting REDCROSS to 90999.
