CEA and NARDA Announce Strategic Partnership.

ARLINGTON, Va. -- The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and the North American Retail Dealers Association (NARDA) announced today they are forming a new strategic partnership. Under the partnership agreement, CEA and NARDA will create programs and training to build the electronics industry and strengthen the existing relationship between retail dealers, servicers and manufacturers. NARDA members operate more than 3,000 storefronts and generate over $10 billion in sales, selling and servicing consumer home electronics, major home appliances, furniture, and other consumer home products. CEA represents nearly 2,000 corporate members involved in all facets of the $113 billion consumer technology industry.

"CEA is committed to serving as the consumer electronics industry's resource bringing manufacturers and retailers together to grow the CE industry," said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of CEA. "Through this partnership, CEA and NARDA will more efficiently and effectively serve the industry."

"NARDA and CEA both are visionary leaders in the electronics industry," said Michael Corder, president, Hod's Home Theater and chairman of NARDA. "This partnership with CEA will allow us to take advantage of a golden opportunity to bring greater value to our members and the marketplace. This also will leverage the training and educational efforts of NARDA and CEA to provide the best tools to strengthen retail and service management skills and our industry as a whole. This partnership will grow our organizations by growing our members' businesses. This is a winning situation for everyone - industry, members, associations and consumers."

The new strategic partnership will result in numerous joint efforts, including co-support and co-promotion of NARDA and CEA events, especially International CES; co-sponsorship of training and educational programs, such as NARDA's Institute of Retail and Service Center Management and CEA's CEknowhow.com; co-support for NARDA's "Cost of Doing Business Survey"; and sharing of select membership benefits.

"Both CEA and NARDA benefit as this partnership recognizes the importance of bringing together retailers and manufacturers to grow the industry," said Loyd Ivey, president, Mitek Corporation and chairman of CEA's Executive Board. "NARDA members are committed to growing the industry through training and education, and represent the state-of-the-art in technology and service. The CEA Board is excited about the partnership as a continuing part of building a united front of retail and manufacturers."

"NARDA sees this as a relationship which capitalizes on the strengths of these two creative, forward-thinking cultures," stated Tom Drake, president and CEO of NARDA. "The time is right to partner on research, education and training to deliver best-of-class programs to NARDA and CEA members. NARDA looks forward to working with CEA and will continue to explore ways to strengthen this mutually beneficial relationship."

CEA has represented retailers' interests since 2003, when the CEA approved full membership for retailers as a way of bringing together the companies that sell products with the companies that make them. CEA's PARA Division formed when the Professional Audio Video Retailers Association became part of CEA in 2004. PARA Division Chairman John Flanner is the first retailer to sit on CEA's Executive Board.

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 2,000 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 $113 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.

About NARDA:

The North American Retail Dealers Association is a not-for-profit trade association established in 1943 with members throughout North, Central and South America. Its members are independent retailers and servicers of consumer home electronics, kitchen and laundry appliances, and furniture. NARDA members represent over 3,000 storefronts and account for more than $10 billion in annual sales. Industry manufacturers and suppliers can join as Allied, Affiliate or Associate members.

NARDA's mission is to provide the power of knowledge to independent retailers through progressive education, information and services. NARDA's resources are available online at www.NARDA.com.

UPCOMING EVENTS

--  EHX Spring
    February 23-26, Orlando, FL

--  CEA Winter Technology & Standards Forum
    March 7-11, 2005, San Antonio, TX

--  HDTV Summit and Academy of DTV Pioneers Awards Luncheon
    March 15, 2005, Washington, DC

--  CEA Digital Patriots Dinner
    March 15, 2005, Washington, DC

--  IP and Creativity - Redefining the Issue
    March 16, 2005, Washington, DC

--  NARDA Spring Institute of Retail and Service Center Management
    April 1-4, 2005, Santa Cruz, CA

--  PARA Management Conference
    May 11-15, 2005, Coronado, CA

--  CONNECTIONS(TM)
    May 11-13, 2005, San Francisco, CA

--  Consumer Electronics CEO Summit
    June 22-25, 2005, Colorado Springs, CO

--  CEA Summer Technology & Standards Forum
    July 25-29, 2005, Denver, CO

--  NARDA Fall Institute of Retail and Service Center Management
    October 14-17, 2005, Oak  Brook, IL

--  CEA Industry Forum
    October 17-19, 2005, Las Vegas, NV

--  EHX Fall
    November 7-11, 2005, Anaheim, CA

--  2006 International CES - Defining Tomorrow's Technology
    January 5-8, 2006, Las Vegas, NV