2003 CES Showcases World of Wireless Technologies; Products Converge at the World's Largest Consumer Technology Tradeshow.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

2003 International CES

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 14, 2002

Bluetooth, 3G, wireless gaming, data services, PDAs and the latest wireless connectivity technology will shower the floor of the 2003 International CES, the world's largest consumer technology tradeshow, January 9-12 in Las Vegas, Nev.

"As technology rapidly evolves, products are converging and working together to provide consumers with communication and information whenever and wherever they demand," said Karen Chupka, vice president of events and conferences for the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), the producer of CES. "Showcasing this technological revolution, CES takes center stage with the hottest wireless products and technologies on the market."

CES wireless exhibitors include America Online, Audiovox, Cingular, Cirrus Logic, Danger Inc., Samsung, Timex, Verizon and Whereify. Attendees will learn about the latest in the wireless industry through a special wireless keynote, CES SuperSessions, technology pavilions; and several sessions in the CES conference tracks including Andrew Seybold's Wireless Experience, Business Solutions, Digital Hollywood, Gaming, Home Networking, Wireless Technologies and Wireless Retail Training have specific sessions dedicated to wireless technologies, including:

-- Integrating Mobile Wireless Networks and the Wireless LAN

-- Timeline to Broadband Wireless -- Delivering Video & Rich Media to Handhelds

-- No New Wires Networking

-- Putting The Spark in Wireless Sales

-- Wireless Lessons from Abroad

-- Wireless Retail Sales Management -- A Train-the-Trainer Session

This year, William Esrey, CEO of Sprint Corp., delivered a special wireless keynote to a packed house at CES. In 2003, Stephen Carter, president and CEO of Cingular Wireless, the nation's second largest wireless company, will provide his vision for the industry on Friday, January 10 at 4:00 p.m. in the Las Vegas Hilton Theater.

New for 2003, CES attendees will see first-hand a state-of-the-art merchandising display at the Ultimate Wireless Superstore. In addition, attendees will enter a new world where their senses are put to the ultimate test by the newest entertainment and wireless technology developed by the global pioneers at the Xtreme Entertainment Experience.

On Thursday evening, January 9, the CEA Wireless Division will hold a special reception in the Ultimate Wireless Superstore on the show floor located on the upper level of the South Hall at 6:00 p.m.

During the past year, ZDNet AnchorDesk Executive Editor David Coursey and CNET Computer Shopper Editor-in-Chief Janice Chen have been on a quest to find out what technologies will become the category killers of the future. They've talked to manufacturers and venture capitalists and peeked into development labs -- all as part of their search for the next big thing in CE. During "CNET Networks Reveals the Next Big Things in CE -- Now, Next Year, and Beyond," Coursey and Chen reveal their findings at CES on January 9 at 10:30 a.m.

On Friday, January 10, Andrew Seybold, president of Seybold's Outlook 4 Mobility, and leading manufacturer and carrier executives including Philip Christopher, president and CEO of Audiovox Corp.; Skip Speaks, president and CEO of Kyocera Wireless Corp.; Tim Donahue, president and CEO of Nextel Corp.; Len Lauer, president of the PCS Division of Sprint Corp.; and Mike Lazaridis, president and co-CEO for Research in Motion Limited discuss everything from new networks, new products, convergence and consumer adoption of 3G during the Wireless SuperSession. This session will touch on the Asian and European market introduction of GSM and how this anytime-anywhere movement is shaping the next generation of technology.

Andrew Seybold's Wireless Experience, held January 9, fills the information and sales training gap that exists between device manufacturers, network operators, and the many direct and indirect sales channels that sell wireless data products, services and solutions to enterprises and consumers. The goal is to give sales teams the technology knowledge and skills needed to sell wireless data products and services today, while creating long-term customer loyalty.

In addition to the wireless education sessions, the latest wireless technology will be visible throughout the show floor in several CES technology pavilions and display areas including the Bluetooth Pavilion, CEA ThunderDorm and the Wi-Fi Pavilion.

Finally, CEA will introduce its Wireless Certification Program, CEA's first web-based retailer training program. Demo stations will be made available outside the Ultimate Wireless Superstore in the LVCC South Hall. The program is geared toward nearly 110,000 retail sales associates that sell wireless-related products and accessories. CEA's strategic partner, Creative Channel Services, is creating the program and will be made available at no charge for CEA wireless retail member companies.

"CES is the must-attend event for anyone involved in wireless technology," said Chupka. "Whether you are looking for products and technology, networking with the leading players in the wireless industry or learning about what is shaping this vibrant industry, CES dominates everything that is wireless."

CES is the world's largest consumer technology tradeshow by a factor of two. Recently, Tradeshow Week announced it was the largest show of any kind. The 2003 International CES will showcase the latest innovations from 2,000 international exhibitors in wireless communications, gaming, digital video, high-end or "extreme" audio, accessories, CE fashion, consumer technology networking, broadband, mobile electronics, content media, new business technology, delivery systems and the Internet.

Online registration is available at www.CESweb.org, the interactive source for CES information.

About CEA:

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) represents more than 1000 corporate members involved in the design, development, manufacturing and distribution of audio, video, mobile electronics, wireless and landline communications, information technology, multimedia and accessory products, as well as related services that are sold through consumer channels. Combined, CEA's members account for more than $80 billion in annual sales. CEA's resources are available online at www.CE.org, the definitive source for information about the consumer electronics industry.

CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES -- Defining Technology's Future. All profits from CES are reinvested into industry services, including technical training and education, industry promotion, engineering standards development, market research and legislative advocacy.

UPCOMING EVENTS

-- CEA Fall Conference and Industry Forum
   October 13-16, 2002, San Francisco, CA

-- Electronic House Expo -- Fall
   November 11-14, 2002, Long Beach, CA

-- 2003 International CES -- Defining Technology's Future
   January 9-12, 2003, Las Vegas, NV

-- Electronic House Expo -- Spring
   February 26-March 1, 2003, Orlando, FL

-- CEA 2003 Winter Technology & Standards Forum
   February 24-February 28, 2003, Scottsdale, AZ

-- 2003 CEA Winter Summit
   March 4-6, 2003, St. Regis Aspen, Aspen, CO

-- HDTV Summit & the Academy of DTV Pioneers 2002 Awards
   March 10, 2003, Renaissance Hotel, Washington, DC

-- Asian Home Electronics Fair
   May 14-17, 2003, Shanghai, China

-- 7th Annual Consumer Electronics CEO Summit
   June 18-20, 2003, Vail, CO

-- CEA 2003 Summer Technology & Standards Forum
   August 1-4, 2003, Location TBA

-- CEA Industry Forum & Fall Conference
   September 14-17, 2003, Carlsbad, CA