What are the growth factors of CES?
First of all every show reflects on an industry and CES is very fortunate to be associated with a growing industry. Secondly, is the economic growth of the country or the world, which further affects growth of the shows. So there is no reason to have a show if it is not something different and have some innovation. We have certainly worked hard to position this show around innovation - making it a valuable experience for everyone who comes here. We are trying to keep the prices very reasonable and making high returns for anyone taking the pain of getting on an airplane and investing their time to come to this show. We are trying to provide a lot of education. We have 25 Tech shows in this show and each of this Tech shows traction has a partnership and focused on a new category. Some shows in certain countries focus on just on their country rather than external things and that is a great challenge to gain benefit from. The US is one of the large economies and to me Las Vegas is one of the most beautiful cities to host the show. There are a lot more hotel rooms in this city. Somebody told me that there are 16-19 largest hotels in this city besides it has the major international airport, infrastructure of convention centers, hotels, entertainment, and skilled workforce, etc. This exhibition set up has been built in three days, imagine how skilled they are. So these are so many factors which make this show a successful venue but the major challenge for us is for the next year where we do not have enough space for expansion.
The global economic condition is not very good. What is your judgment on the fate of the show?
We are projecting about 1 trillion USD in terms of global consumer electronics sales in 2012. The United States will share 20 % of that, which will be around $200 billion. That means, we are projecting a growth of 3.9% and that is very strong considering the behavior of the economy and it will be replicated around the world. The reason is that the consumer electronics products offer great value against its price. Buying of these products for many people will become very essential for the simple reason of communications with work force and to maintain relationships with the family so the prospect for the consumer electronics industry is positive and there are also positive signs as they allow people to become entrepreneurs and create jobs inexpensively. For the first time, in human history, you are having an internet device with broadband connection. You can start a worldwide global business with a little investment. So it is a great equalizer of a product. People recognize it around the world. Obviously wireless technologies are driving tremendous growth and it is very important for the world. I am very comfortable in saying that even against another economic challenges, the consumer electronics industry is very positive in terms of products are very valuable as well as inexpensive. We are projecting that the growth in the Television will dip this year whereas Tablet market will surge. It has become a very attractive one. In fact, Tablet has become a preferred product not only for the home `segments but also for the government organizations. In fact, government organizations are buying a huge number of tablets to enable the burgeoning mobile workforce. The CIO of Govt. of United States in a press conference also talked about how the US Govt.’s strategy has completely changed by some of the products in the market place. Tablets are really transformational products along with wireless, telephones; etc.it is catching up very fast. Interestingly Tablet was first introduced by Microsoft at CES few years ago but it did not catch on but with Apple and other companies introducing Tabs it is phenomenon now.
How is the Scope of CES growing?
The future is bright for technologies as it totally changes the world. Because of the technology revolution, we are able to maintain our freedom. The companies are introducing new products and can drive the industry in different directions. As far as CES is concerned we have a single goal that anyone with an idea can expose it. People like you can make a brake a product. So 80% of the companies have small businesses and have exposed their innovations here and grown phenomenally. That is the spirit of the show that we want to maintain. If you talk to our employees they are working with a mission that they want to do good for the entrepreneurs, good for society and good for taking technology innovations out to the market, etc.
What is the symbol of the CES 2012?
Tablets had a very large presence last year and also this year. This time 3000 exhibitors have taken part and have introduced many things. There is no symbol as such for this year. In terms of video games, there are many different ways to partnerships with many platform providers. Three top vendors including Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo are present here. So video games have been given a warm welcome because the content of videogame helps drive some of the products. Video games are wonderful for the audiences and it is shifting its role to be a positive force in education and I can see a great future in it. But we are way beyond video games in terms of international CES.
How do you compare with IFA- Germany vis-à-vis CES and is it a right time to run CES?
IFA is a show in Germany. Stated since 1924, it is an excellent show and open to the public. The difference between IFA & CES show is that CES is positioned much broader covering many different categories and CES opens only to the trade and not the public. In terms of timing of CES, it is very viable after the holidays because it is very important for those who are selling products and gather plans for the year together with producers. It is phenomenally viable in terms of records and attendance as per our survey and size, which is obviously much bigger and any other definition from IFA. Another difference between two shows is that as per the independent audits we are able to verify as to how many people come to this show and how many spaces are available in the show. Shows normally do not audit. So audits are very important because it is an independent verification. The other thing is that Europe has a different culture than United States. We do not count the foot prints whereas IFA counts the footprints. We only count exhibit space but not the IO space. Obviously we have a very good relationship with each other as we go there and they also come here.
Why Apple is not here?
Apple is actually here. There are several hundred of people from Apple here. About 300 different Apple exhibitors have taken part in this show. Apple as a corporate are not exhibiting their phone. Why they are not here? It is there freedom of decision not to be presence here. Apple is a phenomenally successful consumer electronics company in the world. It has great innovative products and are member of this association. We engage with them all the time. We will welcome them and listen to them but without Apple being present as the comapny they still are present here in many different ways.
Do you think software will play important part in this show in future?
Software and the cloud, services are obviously growing. A lot of services are becoming embedded in the hardware. So to me the difference between software, firmware and hardware is not that great. The software world is changing rapidly because 10 years ago, there were media, we were exchanging data using media but in last few years, we are using web for that purpose and now it is cloud for the same purpose. So I think software is important because there is a lot of transformation occuring and it happens very quickly. But how that can be visible, I cannot really predict very honestly. That is a difficult one to answer.
Do you have an expo outside US also?
There is also a show in China called China CES, which is very a successful show in a very beautiful city in China called Qingdao. We are open to organizing its shows around the world as this year it invited press and very selected exhibitors to present their products.
How Consumer Electronics can be Greener?
There are three different ways to make electronic devices greener. First is less use of chemicals in the manufacturing process of electronics. Secondly, the optimal energy use of the product. We are working with government of US to convey the message of energy usage of TV. And, thirdly the product life cycle and recycling.