CEA Promotes Karen Chupka and Todd Thibodeaux to Senior Vice President Positions; Creates New International Department; Additional CEA Staff Promoted.

ARLINGTON, Va. -- The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA(R)) today announced the launch of its new international department along with the recent promotions of Karen Chupka to senior vice president, conferences and events, and Todd Thibodeaux to senior vice president, industry relations. Both previously held vice president titles for the same departments.

CEA's new International Department will coordinate the association's efforts to expand and deepen relationships with associations and other entities abroad and seek potential partnerships with new international trade shows. The Department also will formulate and coordinate the association's international trade strategies and oversee CEA's operations in China, which includes CEA's partnership with the China Electronic Chamber of Commerce to produce the China International Consumer Electronics Show (SINOCES). This year's SINOCES runs July 7-10 in Qingdao, China. CEA staffer Elizabeth Hyman has been named vice president, international to direct the new department. Hyman previously served as senior director and tax/trade counsel.

"This new department reflects the increasing importance of CEA's global strategy as we grow and change to address the numerous growth opportunities and challenges facing the consumer electronics industry in the international market," said CEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro. "Indeed, I anticipate our international department will grow in the near future as opportunities and issues continue to arise around the world."

Hyman formerly directed CEA's strategy for trade policy activities, working to protect the interests of CEA members in the U.S. and abroad. She led CEA's efforts with U.S. and international policy makers in establishing a greater strategic footprint for the industry in global issues such as: market access through bilateral, regional and multilateral trade agreements; trade facilitation matters; and U.S.-China relations. Hyman has experience at the highest levels of state and federal government affairs, having served in the Office of the Massachusetts Attorney General and in the United States Department of Justice where she was Special Assistant to the Attorney General, among other positions. While at the Justice Department, Hyman was detailed to the Office of the Vice President to serve as an Associate Counsel. She then went on to serve as an Assistant Counsel at the Office of the United States Trade Representative.

"With her vast experience in international trade and government relations, Liz Hyman is well positioned to lead our association's international efforts," Shapiro stated.

Chupka, whose CEA career spans 17 years, will continue to oversee the sales, marketing, production and management of CEA's events and conferences including the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES(R)), the world's largest tradeshow for consumer technology. Under Chupka's leadership, the International CES was named the largest tradeshow in North America by Tradeshow Week in 2001, 2003 and 2004. During her career at CEA, Chupka has held numerous roles including vice president of business development and information technology, director of industry relations and education, and director of marketing for the International CES. In 2002, Dealerscope magazine named Chupka one of the top 40 industry leaders under the age of 40.

Thibodeaux has been with CEA for 15 years. Under his new title, he will continue to oversee market research, member relations, strategic relations and business analysis and CEA's technology and standards department. CEA's market research capabilities have grown substantially in the last 10 years and are an invaluable asset to the industry and CEA members. The CEA member relations group is the primary interface between the association and its 2,100 corporate members. Staff works with the product divisions and special interest groups to manage and initiate programs, all of which are aimed at supporting CEA's mission to grow the industry. Under Thibodeaux's leadership, CEA has added retailers and installers to its membership mix, helping enable the association to represent the full breadth of the consumer electronics industry. At the same time CEA's technology and standards group is reaching out more than ever to support the activities of emerging technologies such as IPTV and IPv6.

"Karen and Todd have done a tremendous job helping to grow CEA and the International CES," said Shapiro. "Their leadership has been integral as we have expanded the scope of CEA membership and programs and have built the CES into the world's largest annual tradeshow for consumer technology. These promotions recognize their continued contributions to our association and our industry. I am honored to work with such exceptional individuals."

CEA also announced two additional senior-level promotions - Cindy Hoag, named as senior director of CES projects and Lisa McKellar, director of conferences.

Hoag, a 17-year veteran of the tradeshow industry, began working with CEA in 1997. During her tenure, she has performed a variety of sales, marketing and project management activities in support of the International CES and CEA events and conferences. In her current position, Hoag oversees and manages special exhibit areas at CES, liaisons with CES partner events and programs and assists with the implementation of new special interest areas for the show. She is a member of the International Association for Exhibition Management (IAEM).

McKellar formerly served as senior manager of CEA conferences. As director, she is responsible for programming and logistical arrangements for CEA stand-alone events including the Entertainment Technology Policy Summit and Digital Patriots Dinner, the Consumer Electronics CEO Summit, CEA's Industry Forum and the annual pre-CES press conference and event held in New York City. She joined CEA in April 2000 as manager of industry relations.

"Cindy and Lisa exemplify the dedication, commitment to excellence and creativity that is inherent throughout CEA staff," said Shapiro. "I am pleased to welcome Lisa to our senior staff."

About CEA:

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the consumer technology industry through technology policy, events, research, promotion and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA represents more than 2,100 corporate members involved in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and integration of audio, video, mobile electronics, wireless and landline communications, information technology, home networking, multimedia and accessory products, as well as related services that are sold through consumer channels. Combined, CEA's members account for more than $125 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 Tomorrow's Technology. 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

--  CONNECTIONS (TM) - The Digital Home Conference & Showcase
    May 2-4, 2006, Santa Clara, CA

--  2006 PARA Conference
    May 3-7, 2006, Hilton Head, SC

--  The 10th Annual Consumer Electronics CEO Summit
    June 21-24, 2006, Southampton, Bermuda

--  2006 SINOCES
    July 7-10, 2006, Qingdao, China

--  2006 CEA Summer Technology and Standards Forum
    July 24-28, 2006, Coronado, CA

--  CEA Industry Forum
    October 16-18, 2006, San Francisco, CA

--  2007 International CES
    January 8-11, 2007, Las Vegas, NV