CES 2010

A record number of new exhibitors—more than 330 companies—are joining more than 2,500 exhibitors in unveiling their latest technology innovations at the 2010 International CES, according the Consumer Electronics Association (CES), the show’s owners and producers.

With more than 20,000 new products on display, CES, which runs through Sunday at the Las Vegas Convention Center, is being called the world’s largest consumer technology trade show, and this year CEA renewed its commitment to making it the world’s largest environmentally friendly trade show as well.

A comprehensive keynote address from Microsoft’s Steve Ballmer and product announcements from top tech companies fueled excitement on the eve of the show. And, in other pre-show news, CEA released its Global CE Sales and Forecast. According to new data from CEA and Gfk, consumer electronics sales worldwide in 2010 will generate $681 billion in retail revenue.

Legendary musicians, athletes and celebrities of the small and big screen, as well as recording artists like Lady Gaga, can be seen throughout CES, experiencing and promoting the hottest CE products and technologies.

CE Spotlights on the show floor feature key market categories, including apps, green technology, gaming and location-based services. “With a record number of new exhibitors, scores of new product introductions, several new Spotlights on the show floor and a dynamic lineup of keynotes sessions, the 2010 International CES was our best show yet,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CEA.

Spotlights include the iLounge Pavilion, featuring all things iPod, iPhone and Mac related; Living in Digital Times, highlighting technology relevant to all lifestyles; EHX@CES with custom CE products for home and commercial installation; Sustainable Planet, featuring the latest green technologies; and the Gaming Showcase with the latest gaming hardware and software.

The 2010 CES also features 20 market-specific TechZones that highlight the latest trends and emerging markets. New CES TechZones include the eBooks, Experience 3D, Femto, Lifestyle Gadgets, Mobile DTV, Netbooks and Safe Driver TechZones.

Top executives of the biggest names in technology and business are also taking the stage at CES, with keynote addresses from Microsoft’s Steve Ballmer, Ford’s Alan Mulally, Intel’s Paul Otellini and Qualcomm’s Dr. Paul Jacobs, as well as Nokia’s Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo and Hisense’s Zhou Houjian, who spoke as part of the CES Technology and Emerging Countries Program.

Additionally, the show offers more than 250 sessions and 800 expert speakers as part of the CES conference program, which covers a range of industry topics from social media to safe driving to technology policy. Conference programs for the 2010 International CES include “Up Next at CES: Creativity, Content and Cash,” which focuses on addressing the major challenge of how to monetize new media, and the “Tech Policy Summit,” which discusses critical policy issues like broadband deployment and spectrum allocation.

CEA also implemented a major strategy to reduce the carbon footprint of the 2010 CES through a partnership with EarthEra and the implementation of sustainable and energy efficient solutions. EarthEra issued green e-certified renewable energy certificates from their wind energy sources to offset electricity and carbon emissions affiliated with the show, including all facilities and hotel rooms. CEA also donated $50,000 to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and Convention Center Area Command to purchase T-3 Motion electric vehicles and accessories that reduce use of fossil fuel powered vehicles and help the environment, the police and the local community.