2010 INTERNATIONAL CES SHAPES TECHNOLOGY POLICY
The 2010 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) gathered top policymakers to address pivotal issues related to technology. Scheduled from January 7-10, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada, the event hosted a series of discussions and presentations from notable government figures, including Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski.
Owned and produced by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), the International CES is recognized as the world’s largest tradeshow for consumer technology, showcasing the latest innovations and addressing critical policy issues that influence multiple sectors of the technology industry.
The event featured discussions on major technology policy issues affecting industries such as broadcast, cable, broadband, wireless, telecom, and satellite. Michael Petricone, senior vice president of government affairs at CEA, emphasized the significance of the conference in shaping decisions that directly impact these sectors. The CES offered a unique platform for policymakers to share their insights on upcoming regulations and legislation.
One of the most anticipated sessions of the event was the policy discussion featuring FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski. He joined CEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro for an in-depth conversation about the future of communications and technology policy. Additionally, the FCC’s Communications Agenda, scheduled for Saturday, January 9, provided further insights from FCC Commissioners Meredith Atwell Baker, Mignon Clyburn, and Robert McDowell on topics including the national broadband plan, accessibility, net neutrality, and the growing demand for more spectrum.
Tech Policy Summit Highlights
The Tech Policy Summit at CES 2010 focused on critical issues such as broadband deployment and spectrum allocation. A key session titled “The Spectrum Grab and Innovation,” featured Blair Levin, Executive Director of the Omnibus Broadband Initiative at the FCC. This session addressed the growing demand for spectrum and its role in fostering innovation in technology sectors.
The “Legislative Roadmap for 2010” session, featuring Representatives Darrell Issa and Kevin McCarthy, explored the priorities of U.S. policymakers for the year ahead, offering a glimpse into how government decisions will affect the technology landscape.
As part of CES’s ongoing commitment to global technology development, the CEA partnered with the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) to present the Technology and Emerging Countries (TEC) Program. This initiative, focusing on the role of technology in driving economic growth in emerging markets, included a series of panel sessions.
Notable topics included “Technology for Smart Energy,” with leaders from General Electric and Valence Energy, “Healthcare Technology for Emerging Markets,” featuring experts from Intel and Cisco Systems, and “Study Time: How Advances in Technology Improve Education Opportunities,” with leaders from Microsoft and Motorola. These sessions highlighted the intersection of technology and global development, showcasing how innovations are influencing various sectors in emerging economies.
Keynote Speakers and Environmental Focus
A highlight of the TEC program was the keynote addresses from Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo of Nokia and Zhou Houjian of Hisense, who shared their insights on the role of technology in shaping the future of emerging markets. The event also addressed the growing concerns around environmental sustainability in technology. The Technology and the Environment Knowledge Track explored key issues such as energy efficiency in electronics and the challenges of e-waste management.
Notable panels included “Dollars and Watts: Energy Use Information for Electronics,” which featured California State Senator Alex Padilla alongside executives from Best Buy, Dell, and Motorola, and “Everything You Always Wanted to Know About State E-Waste Laws but Were Afraid to Ask,” which tackled the complexities of e-waste regulation across state lines.
The “EPA Recycling Leadership Roundtable,” scheduled for Friday, January 8, provided a forum for discussing the role of electronic waste recycling in promoting environmental sustainability. These discussions reflect the growing importance of environmental policies in the consumer electronics industry, with an emphasis on reducing waste and improving energy efficiency.
Looking Ahead: Upcoming Events
The CES 2010 provided a comprehensive overview of the intersection between technology, policy, and the environment. In addition to the discussions held at CES, several other upcoming events highlight the ongoing evolution of the consumer electronics and technology policy landscapes.
These events include Greener Gadgets in New York, EHX Spring 2010 in Orlando, and the CES on the Hill in Washington, D.C., among others. These gatherings continue to foster collaboration among industry leaders, policymakers, and experts to shape the future of technology and its impact on society.
About USTDA and CEA
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) plays a crucial role in supporting economic development in developing and middle-income countries through technical assistance, feasibility studies, and business workshops.
By fostering trade and investment, USTDA helps create an enabling environment for sustainable economic growth. The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) represents over 2,000 companies in the U.S. consumer electronics industry, promoting industry growth through advocacy, research, education, and strategic business relationships. CEA also produces the International CES, the leading event where entertainment, technology, and business converge.
Upcoming CES Events
The CES 2010 serves as a cornerstone event in the technology industry, but the CEA has a number of other events planned for the year ahead, continuing to shape the future of consumer electronics and technology policy. These include Greener Gadgets in New York, EHX Spring 2010 in Orlando, CES on the Hill in Washington, D.C., and the CEA Industry Forum in San Francisco, among others. Each event will bring together industry leaders and policymakers to explore the latest trends, innovations, and regulatory challenges shaping the future of the industry.
