CES Audit Confirms Largest Show Floor And International Attendance In CES History

The International CES® announced today the results of an independent audit that confirms CES’ stature as the world’s largest consumer technology tradeshow and North America’s largest annual tradeshow of any kind. The 2007 International CES audit, conducted by VERIS Consulting LLC, revealed that the industry tradeshow drew a record 27,020 international attendees, with overall attendance totaling 143,695 industry professionals during CES’ four-day run in Las Vegas, NV, January 8-11, 2007.

VERIS is certified by The Exhibition and Event Industry Audit Commission to perform audits. The VERIS audit differentiates the International CES from other industry tradeshows in that each attendee is specifically tagged and counted only once and that CES only counts sold exhibit space to calculate show size, versus other events that include comp, barter and show usage space such as registration areas.

“The audit results prove that the International CES is the paramount location for industry professionals from all around the globe to come together for unparalleled business opportunities,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)®, the producer of CES. “In addition to attracting the best in the technology industry, the 2007 CES also drew top professionals from the content, wireless and retail industries, as well as government officials, venture capitalists, engineers and media from all over the world.”

The 2007 International CES was the largest CES in history in terms of both international attendance and square footage. International attendees, representing 140 countries, reached an all-time high, increasing by more than five percent over 2006. A total of 48 formal delegations attended CES in 2007, including six attending for the first time from Australia, Dominican Republic, United Arab Emirates, Germany, Morocco and Peru.

With the addition of CES’ newest venue, the Sands Expo and Convention Center/The Venetian, total exhibit space also reached an all-time high. More than 2,700 exhibitors showcased their newest products in a record breaking 1.8 million net square feet of space.

“Having the largest floor space in CES history allowed the International CES to display and demonstrate the full range of CE technologies and related content and services from major wireless, content, home theater and in-vehicle technology companies, among many others,” said Karen Chupka, senior vice president of events and conferences, CEA. “The audit confirms the International CES is the must-attend event for all professionals in the consumer technology industries and related fields to see the latest and greatest products and trends, network and attend educational sessions all within four action-packed days.”

The 2007 International CES VERIS audit confirmed that the event was attended by 74 percent of Fortune 100 corporations, as standout companies in the audio, accessories, broadcasting, cable, content, digital imaging, electronic gaming, emerging technology, home networking, home theater, mobile electronics, video and wireless industries continue to use CES as the launch pad for new technologies.

A significant number of decision makers and senior executives spanning all industries do business at CES. The VERIS report found that 40 percent of all attendees were senior level executives, with almost 14,000 being a president, CEO or business owner. Similarly, more than one third of 2007 International CES attendees are the final decision makers on new product buys and partnerships.

The audit showed that CES continues to attract business leaders from all areas, including the influential education, engineering, entertainment, retail and venture capital industries. This year 6,761 engineers and developers, 20,358 retail buyers and 3,392 venture capitalists and business developers flocked to CES, along with more than 10,000 attendees from the broadcast, film and software development/publishing industries- a 15 percent increase over 2006.

The International CES also brings together a large concentration of government leaders, with more than 60 government officials in attendance including policymakers from the United States House of Representatives, Department of Commerce, Office of the United States Trade Representative, Department of State, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Many participated in public policy conference sessions.

Each year, influential media and analysts attend the show to see the hottest new products and trends in the consumer technology world. More than 4,500 media and 2,200 financial and market analysts attended in 2007. Of these, 1,228 were international journalists representing 73 different countries, up 28 percent from 2006.

VERIS Consulting audited CES’ tradeshow attendance records verifying the 2007 International CES registration procedures and record-keeping systems. A VERIS Consulting tradeshow audit provides verification of exhibition records, including direct on-site observation, examination of registration systems and testing of attendee records. Total attendance counts are verified, as well as records and record-keeping systems. Post-show analysis includes direct confirmation sampling, reconciliation of attendance lists, elimination of duplicate names and verification of demographic data with the source of documentation.

Leading the tradeshow industry, VERIS began independent audits for the International CES in 1997. Often, final audit numbers can differ from estimates given on-site due to additional badge pick-ups and badge reader reports. This audit complies with the industry standards for audits adopted by the International Association of Exhibition Management in August 2004. In addition, CEA is a member of the Exhibition and Events Industry Audit Council, which is responsible for determining standard guidelines for conducting trade show audits.

With more than 1.5 million square feet of exhibit space already sold, the 2008 International CES will be held Monday, January 7 through Thursday, January 10, 2008, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

For more news on CES before, during and after the show, including the latest CES Audit, visit www.CESweb.org, the interactive source for CES information.