Skype CEO Josh Silverman to Keynote the 2010 CES Leaders in Technology Dinner

ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)^® today announced that Josh Silverman, CEO of Skype, will deliver a keynote address at the Leaders in Technology Dinner (LIT), to be held at the 2010 International CES^®. Produced by CEA, the 2010 International CES, the world’s largest consumer technology tradeshow, is scheduled January 7-10, 2010, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“Josh Silverman is a true technology visionary, and we are thrilled to welcome him as the keynote speaker for the 2010 Leaders in Technology Dinner”

CNBC Anchor, Maria Bartiromo, will deliver opening remarks for the evening, followed by Silverman’s keynote address which will kick off the annual Leaders in Technology Dinner. The dinner, which honors the technologists, entrepreneurs and policymakers instrumental in furthering technology innovation, is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Friday, January 8, 2010, at The Venetian.

“Josh Silverman is a true technology visionary, and we are thrilled to welcome him as the keynote speaker for the 2010 Leaders in Technology Dinner,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CEA. “Through Silverman’s leadership, Skype’s software is connecting millions of people around the globe, enabling seamless audio and video conversations that span oceans and time zones. We look forward to Silverman’s address as he shares his vision for the future of Skype.”

As CEO of Skype, Josh Silverman oversees the company’s direction and strategy and is ultimately responsible for its performance. An experienced entrepreneur, Silverman has helped build several startups to become world-class brands and companies. He joined Skype from Shopping.com, where he served as CEO following eBay’s acquisition of the recently-listed company. Prior to that, he launched eBay’s European online classifieds business, and built it into the pan-European leader through a combination of acquisitions and organic growth. Under his direct management, Marktplaats.nl (the leading Dutch eCommerce business) increased traffic, revenues and profits more than five-fold in a period of three years.

Silverman was co-founder and CEO of Evite, the leading social event planning site on the Web, which he led until its sale to Ticketmaster/Citysearch (now IAC) in 2001. He has also held management positions at ADAC Labs, was a Senior Consultant at Booz* Allen & Hamilton and started his career on the staff of U.S. Senator Bill Bradley.

The Leaders in Technology Program at CES allows high-level public policymakers and technologists to learn from the more than 2,500 exhibitors and thousands of new products that contribute to a dynamic industry that supports $700 billion in retail sales worldwide. The program also provides information and insight to assist officials in evaluating federal policies that affect the consumer technology industry.

The Leaders in Technology Dinner is an invitation-only event. For more information on the Leaders in Technology Program please contact Laura Hudson at 703-907-7604.

For more news on the 2010 International CES visit www.CESweb.org, the interactive source for CES information.

About CEA:

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the $172 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry. More than 2,000 companies enjoy the benefits of CEA membership, including legislative advocacy, market research, technical training and education, industry promotion, standards development 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.

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