Top Business Strategists to Present Keynotes at 2005 CEA Industry Forum; Speakers to Offer Unique Expertise on Business Management, Marketing Strategy and Leadership

ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 16, 2005--The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA(R)) today announced the talented line-up of top strategists slated to present keynotes at its 2005 Industry Forum. Keynoters include best-selling author Marcus Buckingham, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) President and CEO Rossi Ralenkotter and renowned economist Dr. Barry Asmus.

"The CEA Industry Forum is a gathering place for more than 350 industry visionaries, technology experts and retail executives to come together to focus on the market trends and issues affecting the CE industry," said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of CEA. "This year's keynoters will bring unprecedented value to our attendees in terms of business strategy and information they can use to give their businesses a competitive edge in the marketplace. Needless to say, we are extremely pleased with the heavy hitters in this year's line-up."

“This year's keynoters will bring unprecedented value to our attendees in terms of business strategy and information they can use to give their businesses a competitive edge in the marketplace. Needless to say, we are extremely pleased with the heavy hitters in this year's line-up.”

On Monday, October 17, Marcus Buckingham, will deliver a luncheon keynote focusing on outstanding leadership and management practices. Buckingham is one of the world's leading authorities on employee productivity, business leadership and management. He is the best-selling author of two books, "First, Break all the Rules: What the World's Best Managers Do Differently" and "Now, Discover your Strengths." His new book, "The One Thing you Need to Know," was released in March 2005. A graduate of Cambridge University, Buckingham worked with The Gallup Organization for 17 years before becoming a sought-after consultant, speaker and author.

The following afternoon, Industry Forum attendees will hear from Rossi Ralenkotter, the president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, during CEA's annual meeting and lunch. Ralenkotter, Brandweek magazine's 2004 Grand Marketer of the Year for the "What Happens Here Stays Here" campaign, will present a keynote focused on business and marketing strategies. A 32-year veteran of the LVCVA, Ralenkotter served as the executive vice president of marketing before being appointed president and CEO. He is a graduate of Arizona State University and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and has received lifetime achievement honors from the American Marketing Association and the Travel and Tourism Research Association.

Ralenkotter's keynote falls on Tuesday's International CES Day at Industry Forum. Designed to capitalize on the Las Vegas location, CES Day will offer CES exhibitors in attendance an insight into the upcoming 2006 International CES to be held January 5-8 in Las Vegas. In addition to the keynote, highlights include a kiosk featuring CES' convention service provider, GES, at the CEA Marketplace reception, tours of GES and the Sands Expo and Convention Center and Steve Miller's Most Wanted Marketing Strategy for Exhibitors session.

On Wednesday morning, Dr. Barry Asmus opens the Industry Forum programming with a keynote touching on the dominating factors driving the economy and the need for businesses to be biased for action. A senior economist at the National Center for Policy Analysis, Asmus is uniquely positioned to offer insight into the political and business issues facing the American economy and will address many of the opportunities and challenges facing businesses today. An experienced speaker, Asmus was named one of the five most requested speakers in the United States and is the best-selling author of five titles on the economy and public policy issues.

The 2005 Industry Forum runs October 17-19, 2005, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event is designed to inform, connect and educate technology leaders on the latest market trends, technologies and legislation affecting the CE industry. For more information or to register, please visit www.CE.org/events.

About CEA:

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the consumer technology industry through technology policy, events, research, promotion and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA represents more than 2,000 corporate members involved in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and integration of audio, video, mobile electronics, wireless and landline communications, information technology, home networking, multimedia and accessory products, as well as related services that are sold through consumer channels. Combined, CEA's members account for more than $121 billion in annual sales. CEA's resources are available online at www.CE.org, the definitive source for information about the consumer electronics industry.

CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES - Defining Tomorrow's Technology. All profits from CES are reinvested into industry services, including technical training and education, industry promotion, engineering standards development, market research and legislative advocacy.

    UPCOMING EVENTS

--  CEA Industry Forum
    October 17-19, 2005, Las Vegas, NV

--  EHX Fall 2005
    November 7-11, 2005, Anaheim, CA

--  CES New York Press Preview
    November 15, 2005, New York, NY

--  CES Unveiled: The Official Press Event of CES
    January 3, 2006, Las Vegas, NV

--  2006 International CES
    January 5-8, 2006, Las Vegas, NV

--  Winter Summit 2006
    March 2-4, 2006, Vail, CO

--  CEA 2006 Winter Technology and Standards Forum
    March 6-10, 2006, Clearwater Beach, FL

--  CEA Spring Break
    March 14-17, 2006, Washington, DC

--  2006 PARA Conference
    May 3-7, 2006, Hilton Head, SC

--  2006 Consumer Electronics CEO Summit
    June 21-23, 2006, Southampton, Bermuda

--  2006 SINOCES
    July 7-10, 2006, Qingdao, China