Retail buyers, businesspeople, press and thousands of gadget-gawkers descended on Las Vegas Wednesday to kick off the year’s biggest technology trade show.
The International Consumer Electronics Show is set to start on Thursday and run through Sunday.
Technology companies—many from Orange County—come to show off their newest products, strike sales deals and build media buzz around their brands.
On Wednesday, cab lines snaked around the Las Vegas Convention Center, where most of the action takes place. Some companies opt for private suites in nearby hotels on the strip.
At the convention center, exhibiting companies were setting up their booths.
Most are set up so that attendees can get live demonstrations and meet with company representatives. Others allow show-goers to get a first look at the latest gadgets—most of which aren’t yet in stores.
Some are fairly elaborate, with eye-catching, interactive displays that draw people in.
A sense of renewed optimism after two downbeat years is driving expansion for many at the show. Some companies that had booths at last year’s show are going bigger this time around. Others that went without booths in the past are doing them this year.
Folks from Irvine’s Toshiba America Information Systems Inc., a unit of Japan’s Toshiba Corp. that makes laptops, televisions, printers and other devices, convened on Wednesday afternoon at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino to work out their game plan for the show.
Workers from Irvine’s Vizio Inc., which designs and markets digital televisions, were putting the finishing touches on a display that’s positioned smack in the middle of one of the busiest hallways of the convention center.
CES, as the massive event is called, is put on by the Arlington, Va.-based Consumer Electronics Association trade group.
It’s expected to attract some 130,000 attendees, roughly flat from a year ago, according to the Consumer Electronics Association.
The show kicks off this evening with a keynote speech by Microsoft Corp. Chief Executive Steve Ballmer.
Other executives addressing the crowd throughout the week include Verizon Communications Inc.’s Chief Executive Ivan Seidenberg, Ford Motor Co. Chief Executive Alan Mulally and Cisco systems Inc. Chief Executive John Chambers.
Industry heavyweights exhibiting at the show include all of the biggest makers of cell phones, televisions and computers.
Local companies on hand include Irvine-based Broadcom Corp., Newport Beach’s Conexant Systems Inc., Fountain Valley’s Kingston Technology Co., Lake Forest’s Western Digital Corp., Irvine’s IOGear Inc., Irvine’s SRS Labs Inc., Fountain Valley’s D-Link Systems Inc., and many others.
Of course, CES wouldn’t be CES without celebrity appearances.
Northern California’s Monster Cable Products Inc., which hosts a big-name concert every year, has booked 70s sensation “Earth, Wind & Fire” at Paris Hotel.
Past Monster concerts have featured Diana Ross, John Legend, Mary J. Blige, Stevie Wonder, Rod Stewart, B.B. King, Ray Charles, Crosby, Stills and Nash and James Brown.
Florida-based Sleek Audio Inc., a maker of high-end earphones, is set to host a press conference with rapper 50 Cent.
NBA legends Bill Walton and Rick Fox are set to sign autographs at Haier America Trading LLC’s booth.
Haier makes a variety of electronics and appliances, including refrigerators, wine coolers, dishwashers, kegerators—a fridge made for a beer keg—and other devices.
Rumors are swirling that Lady Gaga will also make a cameo appearance.
Chances are fairly good. Early last year, the pop superstar said she teamed up in a “creative collaboration” with Polaroid Corp.
Polaroid is set to announce the result of the collaboration, dubbed “Grey Label,” at the show.
See early photos from CES 2011 here.
