Presidential Election and Portable Connectivity Focus of Day Two at CEA Industry Forum

Business Wire, Oct 22, 2008

Attendees Hear Keynote Address from Congresswoman Shelley Berkley and Sessions on Smartphone Innovations and Emerging International Markets

LAS VEGAS -- The impact of the presidential election on the consumer electronics industry and the latest advancements in portable connectivity were among the topics discussed on Day Two of the 2008 Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)([R]) Industry Forum. Designed to connect, educate and inform consumer technology professionals, analysts and media, the CEA Industry Forum runs through today at the Four Seasons Hotel in Las Vegas.

The CEA annual member meeting was held during a luncheon on Tuesday afternoon. Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CEA, discussed the optimistic outlook of the CE industry even as nationwide economic troubles prevail. Shapiro also outlined several CEA initiatives to grow the consumer technology industry including free trade, the digital television (DTV) transition and environmental policies, and many new 2009 International CES([R]) developments. Elections of CEA's Board of Industry Leaders also were held at the annual meeting.

Congresswoman Shelley Berkley (D-NV) keynoted the lunch and discussed her home district in Nevada, the importance of the CE industry and several policy predictions once a new administration is in place. Congresswoman Berkley began by noting the importance of increasing the CE industry's visibility on Capitol Hill, and highlighted the remarkable work of CEA's policy initiatives, which support government leaders and policies in favor of technological innovation. She noted that Nevada, which allows early voting, is showing Democrats outpacing Republicans two and half to one. She also discussed policy issues ranging from free trade and renewable energy to white spaces and intellectual property. She concluded by stating, "the innovation of CEA is the embodiment of what we are capable of accomplishing. This innovation is the future of the nation and the future of our planet."

Jeneanne Rae, Business Week columnist, co-founder and president, Peer Insight, hosted the morning's first session titled, "Innovation in an Age of Uncertainty." Given the current state of the economy, Rae stressed that companies will never have enough resources to succeed on their own. Rae suggested that companies collectively leverage the knowledge and power of hardware, software and service providers to achieve the ultimate customer experience.

Tuesday morning's session, "Video on the Small Screen," explored how new technologies are now streaming live television, traffic, weather and GPS updates straight to consumers' portable devices. Moderated by Maggie Reardon, senior writer, CNET News, panelists from MediaFLO, MobiTV, Skyhook Wireless and ICO Global discussed what needs to happen for mobile video to exponentially take off, what content people want to watch on their portable devices and what business models will work in this space. The panelists predicted that video on the small screen is no longer a "lean back" experience, but an interactive experience as all small devices are now part of a connected ecosystem.

"Web 2.0: The New Era of Keeping Your Business Competitive," discussed the impact of social media on companies. Moderated by Craig Sholtz, blogger and web strategy consultant, Web 2.Oh....Really? and comprised of panelists from Microsoft, Dell, Comcast and Google, the session explored the effects of social media on customer service and branding. The panelists concurred that interactive web communities, such as YouTube, allow companies to be more connected to both current and potential consumers.

In the Tuesday afternoon session, "Cell Phone 2.0," Jacqueline Cooper of Research In Motion, Eric Anderson of Handango and Eric Fitzgerald Reed of Verizon discussed the future of the wireless phone. As Smartphone sales continue to grow exponentially, the panel predicted that the market for applications will also grow, and that user customization will transform the purchase experience for consumers.

Tuesday afternoon's session, "What's the Next China?" examined some of the issues that are driving up costs for manufacturers in China such as freight, labor and raw material. The panel, consisting of leaders from PRTM, Sima Products Corporation and Stamford International, also discussed challenges such as regulatory risks, government intervention, currency and IP issues. The panel discussed regions that could be the next hot zones for technology manufacturing including India, Eastern Europe, particularly Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic, Brazil and Mexico.

"Best Practices for Greening Your Company," explored programs and practices of CE industry leaders who are making progress toward environmental sustainability. Moderated by Marc Alt of Marc Alt Partners, panelists Paula Prahl, Best Buy; John Harland, Intel and David Sherman of Blu Skye Sustainability Consulting discussed best practices in electronics recycling, green manufacturing and energy efficiency. Noting the growing consumer interest in green issues, Prahl shared recent consumer research revealing that 43 percent of Best Buy's core customers are committed to environmental issues.