It was inevitable. Gary Shapiro is home right now practicing his best Chinese bows in the mirror as he brings CES to Shanghai China. With the growing power of the Chinese consumer, it only makes sense that to keep CES relevant the event that is billed as the largest international consumer electronics show have a presence in the East. Shanghai is a perfect choice and a fantastic international destination.
I will be looking forward to visiting my many friends there. They will all be at the show. Here is the press release. CEA Announces International CES Asia to Serve as Premier Asian Event New tradeshow launches in Shanghai in May 2015 to showcase innovation Shanghai, China, July 17, 2014 – The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)® today announced it will produce the 2015 International CES Asia scheduled to run May 25-27 in Shanghai, China.
This inaugural event will take place at the Shanghai New International Expo Center (SNIEC) and will draw global businesses to showcase the latest products and technologies entering the Asian marketplace. CEA is co-organizing the event with Intex Shanghai Co., Ltd., a prominent producer of international tradeshows in China. “We are thrilled to announce the launch of CES Asia,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of CEA. “China is a critical driver of the global tech industry with an incredible opportunity to accelerate its innovation output. At CES Asia, attendees will experience the innovation that defines the CE industry, with exclusive access to some of the top brands from China and around the world.”
The Chinese economy is on pace to become the largest in the world with consumer electronics (CE) retail sales in China expected to reach $154.4 billion in 2014. CES Asia provides a unique opportunity for global companies with operations in China to expand market share in this rapidly growing, critical market. CEA has not sponsored a China tradeshow since its 2012 participation with SINOCES. Shanghai has a long history as a global trading city and is a major international destination with top-notch convention facilities and world-class hotels. With two international airports and a population of more than 24 million, the city of Shanghai is the center of commerce in China and one of the world’s leading cities. “We are designing the show so that innovative companies from large economies including the U.S., China, Japan, South Korea and emerging countries in Southeast Asia can garner increased attention and gain a stronger foothold in the Chinese marketplace,” said Karen Chupka, senior vice president of corporate business strategy and the International CES, CEA.
“Key global businesses will come to this event to grow and reinforce their brands to CE industry executives, foreign buyers, media and a limited number of consumers from China.” From tech powerhouses to innovative startups, the entire consumer technology ecosystem will be on display at CES Asia, which will span 8,500 net square meters of exhibit space in its first year. Major themes and emerging product categories, including 3D printing, robotics, sensors, the Internet of Things and wearables, will be prominently featured across the show floor and in the conference program.
At least the following major companies will exhibit, sponsor and/or attend the 2015 CES Asia: Amazon Best Buy Ford Motor Company Fry’s Electronics Gibson Brands Hisense IBM Intel JD.com Monster Newegg Radio Shack Starpower TCL Woox Also, CEA will host a special meeting of its 45 top-level member Board of Industry Leaders in conjunction with CES Asia that will bring leaders of global technology companies to Shanghai for the launch event. Exhibit sales will begin in August 2014 and registration will open at the end of this year. For more information, visit CESAsia.com and watch the CES Asia launch video here.