LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6, 2006 -- The 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the world's largest consumer technology tradeshow, opened its doors yesterday with 2500 exhibitors showcasing the latest products and services in audio, digital imaging, electronic gaming, emerging technology, home entertainment, home networking, mobile electronics and wireless technology. Produced by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), the International CES runs through Jan. 8.
"With 1.6 million net square feet of space and 2500 exhibitors, it's a record-breaking year for CES," said Karen Chupka, vice president of events and conferences at CEA. "The 2006 International CES features keynotes and presentations from some of the industry's most influential leaders, educational sessions on the hottest industry issues, attendees from all facets of consumer technology, and, of course, the latest and greatest products and technologies."
The 2006 International CES focuses on 30 product categories spread throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center, the Sands Expo and Convention Center, the Alexis Park and the Las Vegas Hilton. Some exhibitors at the 2006 show include: Canon, Casio, Dell, Eastman Kodak, Epson, Fuji, HP, Intel, LG, Logitech, Panasonic, Philips, Pioneer, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, Texas Instruments, Thomson and Toshiba.
"Adding to the excitement this year, we have expanded to Innovations Plus at the Sands Expo and Convention Center to create a home for new and emerging technologies," added Chupka. Innovations Plus at the Sands is a hub of 500 emerging technology exhibitors, 150 international exhibitors, 75 conference sessions and more than 12 TechZones.
The 2006 International CES also features 199 conference sessions and 350 speakers. Industry leaders from Microsoft, Sony, Intel, Yahoo!, Google, Dell, Kodak and Verizon will deliver keynote speeches and Industry Insider presentations. Additionally, a retail power panel featuring executives from Best Buy, Circuit City, CompUSA and Radio Shack, and a one-on-one session with Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin and CEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro also will take place at the Sands.

In his speech to attendees on Thursday, Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg outlined the role his company is playing in delivering a total broadband experience to customers and how Verizon’s new multimedia networks are evolving to ultimately deliver digital content on any device -- anywhere, anytime.
Seidenberg’s presentation included demonstrations showing how music, photos and videos –- any digital content –- can be shared across every network and device a consumer uses, from a plasma television to a PC, and even to a cell phone. His presentation also included demonstrations of the company’s newest services, including V Cast Music and FiOS TV. V Cast Music lets Verizon Wireless customers download music over the air directly to their wireless phones or straight to their Windows XP-equipped PCs and transfer digital music between the PC and the phone. FiOS TV is the new all-digital video service offered over Verizon’s fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network.
For more information on the 2006 International CES, visit: www.cesweb.org