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Attendance at CES plummets by 22 percent
By siliconindia
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Wednesday, 14 January 2009, 00:06 IST |
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Bangalore: In the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) the number of attendees plummeted by 22 percent, yet the organizers have put a happy face without an iota of disappointment. The tech show managed to draw an estimated 110,000 attendees compared to 141,150 people in the previous year.
The lower attendance did not come as a surprise to anyone. Clarifying the speculations, Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) President and CEO Gary Shapiro said, "Our board concluded that it is essential to have the right people attend CES. Board members reported getting more business done this year than at any prior show." To ensure the limited attendance, the organization had further induced a new $100 pre-registration fee. The lower body count was appreciated as it made the experience more pleasant due to the absence of the rush.
Many found CES to be more exciting than Macworld trade show. The show unveiled new tech gadgets like the Palm Pre smart phone, Internet-connected HDTVs, and in-car satellite TV service. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer also used the show to drum up interest in the new Windows 7 beta.