Las Vegas Prepares for 2008 International CES

The world's largest annual trade show for consumer technology, International CES (Consumer Electronics Show), will take place in Las Vegas at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas Hilton and Sands Expo & Convention Center/The Venetian from January 7 to January 10, 2008.

The International CES features 2,700 exhibitors and draws more than 140,000 attendees annually from more than 140 countries such as retailers, manufacturers, broadband developers, content providers and creators, wireless carriers, cable and satellite TV providers, installers, government leaders, corporate buyers, financial analysts and the media.

The 2008 International CES will feature the hottest product debuts covering more than 30 product areas, including the latest in content, wireless, digital imaging, mobile electronics, home theater and audio. Approximately 200 conferences will take place during the 2008 International CES, which is sponsored by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA).

Topics for the 2008 International CES will include: "IPTV: The Television of Tomorrow?", "Home Theater in 3D," "Back on the Air: Mobile TV," "Mobile on the Move: What's in Store for Car Electronics?", "The True Cost of DRM: What Can't We Do Now?", "The Golden Age of Digital Imaging," "Bringing Automation Home," "Innovation Through Design," "The Power of Social Networking," "The Top 10 Technologies You Never Heard Of" and many others.

In addition, 2008 CES Keynote speakers will include Microsoft's Bill Gates (Sunday, January 6, 2008, 6:30 PM), Panasonic's Toshihiro Sakamoto (Monday, January 7, 2008, 8:30 AM), Intel's Paul Otellini (Monday, January 7, 2008, 4:30 PM), Comcast's Brian L. Roberts (Tuesday, January 8, 2008, 9 AM) and General Motors' Rick Wagoner (Tuesday, January 8, 2008, 4:30 PM). All CES keynote addresses will take place at the Venetian's Palazzo Ballroom.

"What an incredible line up of industry visionaries to kick off the 2008 International CES," said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of CEA. "We look forward to hearing their visions for the future of consumer technology, particularly the impact new consumer technology products will have on digital content and services."

The first CES trade show took place in the summer of 1967 with a total of 200 exhibitors and approximately 17,500 attendees. Products that have made their debut at CES over the years include videocassette recorder (1970), laserdisc player (1974), camcorder (1981), compact disc player (1981), digital satellite system (1994), digital versatile disk (1996), high definition television (1998) and plasma TV (2001).

"If you are planning to attend 2008 International CES, remember that hotel rooms sell out months in advance," said Kyle Collins, Director of Interactive Marketing for HotelsCorp.com. "Fortunately, HotelsCorp.com still has room availability at many of our Las Vegas partner hotels but you should definitely reserve your room as soon as possible."

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