Top Ranking Government Officials And Washington Power Players Join Speak Line_Up At CEA Washington Forum

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA®) today announced that Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Representative Darrell Issa (R-CA) will deliver keynote addresses at the CEA Washington Forum, joining the list of top policymakers and Washington power players, including political analysts James Carville and Mary Matalin, slated to speak at the event. CEA’s Washington Forum, a two-day event focusing on key issues affecting the consumer electronics industry, is scheduled for March 26-27 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, DC.
“Senator Wyden and Representative Issa are legislators who continue to fight for our industry and stand up for the future of innovation,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CEA. “We are thrilled to welcome them as keynoters at the Washington Forum, as well as the other top-notch speakers including James Carville and Mary Matalin, and look forward to hearing their views on the current policy issues and challenges keeping our industry awake at night.”

The Forum will kick off on Monday, March 26, with Senator Wyden’s opening keynote address, slated for 9 a.m. Senator Wyden will address environmental issues affecting the consumer technology industry, including e-waste and electronics recycling legislation.

Policy discussions will continue on Monday afternoon with a luncheon keynote delivered by Representative Issa (R-CA). Representative Issa, who currently serves on the House Government Reform Committee, has an extensive history of leadership within the consumer electronics industry, as former chairman of CEA and founder of Directed Electronics, a leading manufacturer of automobile security and convenience products.

Tuesday’s afternoon keynote will be delivered by one of Washington’s political power couples - James Carville and Mary Matalin. As top political analysts and advisors to U.S. presidents over the past 25 years, Carville and Matalin will share their insight into current political issues facing the nation and give their analysis of the upcoming 2008 presidential race.

Other high profile speakers and panelists at the CEA Washington Forum include Bram Cohen, inventor, co-founder and CEO, BitTorrent Inc.; Blake Krikorian, co-founder, chairman and CEO, Sling Media Inc.; John Lawson, president and CEO, Association of Public Television Stations (APTS); Michael Malcolm, founder & CEO, Kaleidescape and Kyle McSlarrow, president and CEO, National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA).

The CEA Washington Forum also will feature the Third Annual Digital Patriots Dinner on March 27, honoring Senator John Sununu (R-NH) and Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), as well as Michael Dell, chairman and CEO of Dell Inc., for their contributions in furthering consumer technology.