Guide Note:
One of the most anticipated events in the technology and product field each year is a trade show called the International Consumer Electronics Show. Known worldwide by the acronym CES, the event is held every January in Las Vegas, and is generally accepted as the place for an annual unveiling of new items and gadgets.
Fast Facts:
- First CES: June 1967 in New York
- Held annually in January
- Host site: Las Vegas Convention Center
- Bill Gates has given the pre-show keynote speech 11 times, including 2008
Technology's Super Bowl Week
With the introduction of the VCR in 1970, CES quickly grew to become the one trade show event that gave the growing electronics industry a platform to roll out not new products ready for purchase, but also conceptual prototypes of future products. Produced by the Consumer Electronics Association, more than 2,200 corporate partners are represented during the 4-day show. The event is not open to the general public. Other major product introductions at past CES events include the Laserdisc Player in 1974, Pong from Atari in 1975, the CD Player in 1981, the Commodore 64 in 1982, the DVD Player in 1996, HDTV in 1998, and the Xbox in 2001.
