“The audit results prove that the 2008 International CES exceeded all expectations of attracting top content providers, entertainment executives, retail buyers, venture capitalists, engineers, government officials and media from all over the world,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)^®, the producer of CES. “The international prestige of our show is illustrated by the more than 28,000 international attendees, along with the successful launch of the Technology and Emerging Countries program and the participation of His Excellency Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda.”

The 2008 International CES grew its international attendance of industry professionals to a new high of 28,056, a nearly four percent increase over last year, during the industry tradeshow’s four-day run in Las Vegas, NV, January 7-10, 2008. The show was record breaking in terms of both international presence and square footage. International attendees, representing more than 140 countries, increased from 27,020 in 2007. A total of 57 formal delegations attended CES in 2008, including ten first-time delegations from; Argentina, Austria, Bulgaria, Chile, Finland, Qatar, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine and Venezuela.

Three thousand exhibitors showcased their latest electronics products on a record breaking 1.85 million net square feet of exhibit space. Overall attendance was 141,150 down from 143,695 in 2007, as the International CES continued its multi-year campaign to reduce the number of non-qualified attendees in order to maintain a high-quality trade show and minimize logistical impediments to conducting business.

“Having the most exhibit space in show history allowed us to feature new technologies and welcome a greater number of attendees from our target categories than in years past; specifically the international markets,” said Karen Chupka, senior vice president of events and conferences, CEA. “We are thrilled that the audit confirms our growth in attendance from outside the United States.”

The 2008 International CES attracted 75 percent of the Fortune 100 corporations, as leading 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 catalyst for new technologies.

An increased number of senior level executives and final decision makers continue to do business at CES. According to the VERIS audit, 46 percent of all attendees were senior executives, up six percent over last year, with more than 17,000 being a president, CEO or business owner. Additionally, more than one third of attendees are the final decision makers when it comes to partnerships and new product buys. 

The audit confirms that CES continues to attract business leaders from all areas including, entertainment, retail, education, engineering and venture capital industries. This year, 13,898 retail buyers, 10,021 manufacturers and 3,198 engineers came to CES along with nearly 9,000 attendees from the software development/publishing, content development and entertainment industries.

The International CES also brings together a large concentration of top government officials. Policy makers from the United States Congress, Department of Commerce, Department of State, Homeland Security, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) were all on hand, along with international leaders from Rwanda, the European Commission, Japan and the United Nations.

Each year, influential media and analysts attend the show to report on the latest products and trends in the consumer technology realm. More than 4,500 media and 1,900 financial and market analysts attended the 2008 International CES. Of that, 1,170 were international journalists from 61 different countries

VERIS Consulting audited CES’ tradeshow attendance records verifying the 2008 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.

In related news, the 2007 International CES again topped the latest Tradeshow Week 200 list [May 2008] as the largest annual tradeshow in the United States and Canada for the seventh consecutive year. Details can be found at: www.tradeshowweek.com. The 2009 International CES will be held Thursday, January 8 through Sunday, January 11, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

For more news on CES before, during and after the show, including the 2008 International CES audit, visit www.CESweb.org.

About CEA:
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the $161 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry. More than 2,200 companies enjoy the benefits of CEA membership, including legislative advocacy, market research, technical training and education, industry promotion and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES – Where Entertainment, Technology and Business Converge. All profits from CES are reinvested into CEA’s industry services. Find CEA online at www.CE.org.