Powerful New Industry Insider Sessions Highlight The 2008 International CES

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)® today announced several new program additions to the Industry Insider Series at the 2008 International CES. Produced by CEA, the 2008 International CES, the world’s largest consumer technology tradeshow, returns to Las Vegas, January 7-10, 2008.

The new Industry Insider sessions include the popular International Retail Power Panel, featuring the CEOs of both Best Buy and Circuit City, as well as two new programs, “Technology Impact: Five Things Technologists Don’t Get About Hollywood,” and “Technology and Emerging Countries: Advancing Development Through Technology Investments.”

“The Industry Insider Series continues to serve as a major event at the International CES and we’re taking this program to the next level for the 2008 CES,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CEA. “With leaders from Best Buy and Circuit City participating in the Retail Power Panel, an address by Yahoo!’s Jerry Yang and new programs on technology’s role in international development and the interplay of devices and content, the 2008 Industry Insider Series promises to have something for every CES attendee.”

The first panel session in the 2008 Industry Insider Series, “Technology Impact: Five Things Technologists Don’t Get About Hollywood,” is slated for 2:30 p.m., Monday, January 7. Sponsored by Variety, the panelists will discuss the collaborative relationship between consumer technology and the content and entertainment industries.

CEA’s Shapiro will moderate the International Retail Power Panel, scheduled for 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, January 8. Featuring Brad Anderson, vice chairman and CEO of Best Buy and Phil Schoonover, chairman, president and CEO of Circuit City, the session will bring together the biggest names in the retail industry to discuss the latest selling technologies and the future of the consumer technology retail business.

Slated for 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, January 9, “Technology and Emerging Countries: Advancing Development Through Technology Investments,” will delve into the role consumer technology plays in long-term development and the future growth and sustainability of emerging markets. The program will conclude with a keynote address by Nicholas Negroponte, founder of the One Laptop Per Child project and the MIT Media Lab.

These Industry Insider presentations, as well as the Industry Insider address by Yahoo!’s CEO and Chief Yahoo!, Jerry Yang, will take place in the Las Vegas Hilton Theater.

The 2008 International CES will feature the hottest product debuts from 2,700 exhibitors, covering more than 30 product areas, including the latest in content, wireless, digital imaging, mobile electronics, home theater and audio. For more news on the 2008 International CES before, during and after the show, visit www.CESweb.org, the interactive source for CES information.