CEA Announces Judges for i-stage Competition

i-stage Contestants Compete for $50,000 in Prizes and Free 2011 International CES Exhibit Space

ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)^® today announced three technology experts as judges at the 2010 i-stage competition, a live event designed to unveil the next powerhouse technology products, services and apps. The 2010 i-stage is scheduled for Monday, October 18, during the CEA Industry Forum at The Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, California.

“CEA’s i-stage is the global proving ground for the next generation of consumer technology innovation”

“CEA’s i-stage is the global proving ground for the next generation of consumer technology innovation,” said Karen Chupka, senior vice president, events and conferences, CEA. “Attendees at this live competition will witness the latest technology coming to market as our expert judges and the audience select the winning innovations."

The i-stage finalists will have their products reviewed and judged by technology gurus Frank Gruber, co-founder of TECH cocktail, a technology media and events company; Richard MacManus, founder and CEO of ReadWriteWeb, a top technology blog, and Jeremy Toeman, founder and managing partner of Stage Two Consulting. The following prizes will be awarded:

• 1^st Place – Chosen by judges, the first place winner will receive $40,000, a turnkey booth at the 2011 CES and the option to display at the CES Unveiled event in New York or Las Vegas.
• 2^nd Place – Chosen by judges, the second place company will receive $7,500 and the option to display at the CES Unveiled event in New York or Las Vegas.
• Fan Favorite – Chosen by the audience, the fan favorite receives $2,500 and the opportunity to display at the CES Unveiled event in New York or Las Vegas.

The 2010 i-stage competition coincides with CEA’s Industry Forum, scheduled October 17-22 in San Francisco. Industry Forum connects and educates consumer technology professionals, analysts and media on industry trends, emerging technologies, technical standards and legislation affecting the CE industry.

For more information, or to register for i-stage and CEA’s Industry Forum, visit www.CE.org.

About CEA:

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the $165 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 – The Global Stage for Innovation. All profits from CES are reinvested into CEA’s industry services. Find CEA online at www.CE.org.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• 2010 CEA Industry Forum
  October 17-20, 2010, San Francisco, CA
• i-stage
  October 18, 2010, San Francisco, CA

• Digital Hollywood Fall
  October 18-21, 2010, Santa Monica, CA

• CES New York Press Preview featuring CES Unveiled @ NY
  November 9, 2010, New York, NY

• Future of Television East
  November 19, 2010, New York, NY

• 2011 International CES
  January 6-9, 2011, Las Vegas, NV