CES organizer hopeful of first Asia version in China

The Consumer Electronics Association, the organizer of the world’s largest consumer electronics trade show, International CES, is on track with its preparations for hosting the Asian version of the electronics trade show, called the 2015 International CES Asia in Shanghai in May 2015.

“The Chinese government was very supportive and has been really wanting to host the show,” Gary Shapiro, chief executive of the CEA, said in a press meeting in Korea on Thursday. 

Shanghai was chosen as the host city for the first electronics fair organized by the CEA in Asia as it is a big commercial city where many global companies want to build their brands, he said.

He dispelled skepticism about the success of CES Asia, which could lack knockout products because the trade show in Vegas, saying that development cycles of products have been accelerated over time and companies always introduce new products.

“The (Chinese) trade show will serve as a venue not only for product introduction but also for retail relationships, and for the investment community,” he said.

Regarding the International CES, the head of the event promised that that next year’s event will be brimming with new technology and innovation.

“There will be new areas at the trade show focused on growing technology mixed with sports, those focused on high-quality audio, and some will be dedicated to sensors and smartwatches,” he said, hinting that a wide variety of new gadgets will be unveiled at the 2015 International CES slated to be held from Jan. 6 to 9, 2015.

Ultra high-definition TVs, the Internet of things, autonomous cars and 3-D printers are some of the technology that will catch visitors’ attention at the trade show as well, he added.

There will likely be around 3,500 exhibitors and 5,000 media firms from around the world at next year’s event, according to the CEA.

Not only the tech industry’s big guns like Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics, but also 300 startups, a 50 percent increase compared to the 2014 event, will exhibit, boasting their innovations during the 2015 International CES.

By Kim Young-won (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)