ARLINGTON, VA.
— GE Appliances and Sears’
Kenmore are the first majap brands announced that
will exhibit at the inaugural Connected Home Appliances
TechZone at the 2011 International CES
in January.
The early exhibitor list, announced by the Consumer
Electronics Association (CEA), also includes
floor-care manufacturer Bissell.
The new TechZone at the 2011 CES been the
talk of the white-goods industry since February
when CEA confirmed it was considering it.
Other major white-goods vendors, such as Whirlpool,
Electrolux, and International CES exhibitors
LG and Samsung, have not formally announced
their plans for the new CES section.
But Whirlpool has exhibited at CES before, and
LG and Samsung have been major exhibitors for
years with its consumer electronics operations.
The Connected Home Appliances TechZone was
created to showcase next-generation “smart” appliances
that can connect with the energy grid and
other household products.
“These major name manufacturers are flocking
to the Connected Home Appliances TechZone
because they know it’s the best area at CES for
showcasing products designed to integrate, connect
and network the lives of consumers throughout
the home,” said Gary Shapiro, CEA president/
CEO in a statement. “Consumers want to connect
devices within their homes, and this area provides
an opportunity for CES exhibitors to demonstrate how connected home appliances will make home
life easier and more energy efficient.”
The Connected Home Appliances TechZone will
showcase manufacturers, suppliers, utilities and
others in the connected-appliances arena. This exhibit
area will feature major and portable household
appliances and innovative technologies that integrate
with other electronics products to improve
consumers’ health and productivity while reducing
their environmental impact.
Betsy Owens, Sears’ Kenmore brand VP, said,
“Kenmore is excited to participate in the 2011
International CES Connected Home Appliances
TechZone. This year, we have undertaken a massive
relaunch, introducing breakthrough innovations
across all our categories. We are proud to
be among the innovation leaders at CES and look
forward to showcasing our latest advancement,
Kenmore Connect, that shares real-time diagnostics
directly from the appliance to highly trained
Kenmore Connect service experts.”
For more information, contact Ryan Strowger,
CES business development director, at
.
