CES Keynote Speakers form impressive line up

The keynote addresses at the International CES offer attendees the opportunity to hear a star-studded lineup of CE industry leaders share their experience, insight and vision first-hand.

Pre-show Keynote Address
6:30 p.m. Sunday, January 6, 2008, The Venetian, Palazzo Ballroom

Bill Gates - Chairman, Microsoft Corp.

Under Bill Gates' leadership, Microsoft has continually advanced and improved software technology. With the full attention of the consumer technology world, Gates has previously used the International CES to preview products and technology on the horizon for consumers. Microsoft's previous product debuts at CES include consumer technologies and services such as the Xbox, Tablet PC, eBook, Microsoft TV and Windows Vista.

Gates general admission seating process: The International CES will be instituting a new seating process for general admission to the Gates keynote only. The queue for general admission to the Gates keynote opens 2 p.m. Sunday, January 6, on level 2 of The Venetian at the bottom of the escalator outside of the Venetian business center. Attendees arriving before 2 p.m. will be turned away until the line officially opens. Each person will be provided a wristband on a first-come, first-served basis and directed to wait in line. All attendees must be present to receive a wristband. Attendees arriving after all wristbands have been distributed will be informed that general admission seats are filled and will be turned away from the keynote.

Attendees with wristbands must stay in line to ensure their seat in the theater. The wristbands serve as a means to confirm who has been in line for the duration and to eliminate any potential "seat savers." It does not serve as a ticket or other guarantee allowing someone to leave and return.


Day 1 Opening Keynote Address
8:30 a.m. Monday, January 7, 2008, The Venetian, Palazzo Ballroom

Gary Shapiro - President and CEO, Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)

Gary Shapiro is president and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), the U.S. trade association that represents some 2000 consumer electronics companies and produces the International CES. Shapiro is an active leader in the development, launch and marketing of HDTV. He is a charter inductee to the Academy of Digital Television Pioneers, receiving its highest award in 2003 as the industry leader most influential in advancing HDTV. As chairman of the Home Recording Rights Coalition (HRRC), Shapiro has led the manufacturers' legal and legislative battle to preserve the legality of recording technology and the consumer battle to protect fair use rights.

Toshihiro Sakamoto - President, Panasonic AVC Networks Company

Toshihiro Sakamoto is president of Panasonic AVC Networks Company, the consumer electronics and PC manufacturing arm of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Sakamoto has been responsible for creating and driving the company's digital consumer electronics device strategies for flat panel displays and other high-definition networkable products. A seasoned global manager, his career includes two years as president of Taiwan Matsushita Electric and three assignments to Panasonic companies in the U.S., which totaled 14 years.


Day 1 Afternoon Keynote Address
4:30 p.m. Monday, January 7, 2008, The Venetian, Palazzo Ballroom

Paul Otellini - President and CEO, Intel Corp.

Paul Otellini became CEO of Intel Corp. in 2005, after serving as the president and chief operating officer for three years. Otellini, who joined Intel in 1974, previously held senior management positions where he managed all Intel microprocessor product divisions as well as the company's global sales and marketing operations. Otellini was responsible for driving Intel's shift from focusing solely on producing fast microprocessors, commonly known as the PC's "brain," to combining high-performance, energy-efficient microprocessors with additional integrated technologies — that are changing how people use computers, electronics and devices to learn, live, work and communicate.


Day Two Opening Keynote Address
9 a.m. Tuesday, January 8, 2008, The Venetian, Palazzo Ballroom

Brian L. Roberts - Chairman and CEO, Comcast Corp.

The home entertainment and CE markets continue to converge, providing seamless connectivity of content to households around the world. That's why CES welcomes the leader of the nation's largest provider of cable, entertainment and communications products and services to the lineup of 2008 keynote speakers. CEA President Gary Shapiro calls Brian Roberts instrumental in the growth and development of the cable and telecommunications industries.

Under Roberts' direction, Comcast has grown into a Fortune 100 company with $25 billion in revenues in 2006, 24.1 million customers and 90,000 employees. Roberts also is the chairman of the board of directors of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA). In October 2006, Roberts was inducted into the Cable Television Hall of Fame, and in May 2007, he was presented with the cable industry's highest honor, the Distinguished Vanguard Award for Leadership.


Day Two Afternoon Keynote Address
4:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 8, 2008, The Venetian, Palazzo Ballroom

Rick Wagoner - Chairman and CEO, General Motors

"The consumer technology and automotive industries continue to intertwine as consumers demand more innovation and functionality from in-vehicle electronics products. This exciting keynote address by the world's largest automaker is further proof that the International CES is the must-attend event for in-vehicle technology," said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CEA. "We're thrilled to have Rick Wagoner speak at the 2008 CES and look forward to hearing his vision for the growth of consumer technology in the automotive industry."

Rick Wagoner was elected GM chairman and chief executive officer on May 1, 2003, and had served as president and chief executive officer since June 2000. In 1998, Wagoner was elected president and chief operating officer, and had served as executive vice president of GM and president of North American Operations since 1994.

more info at http://www.cesweb.org/attendees/conferences/keynotes.asp