From the 2009 CES

The Consumer Electronics Show is a HUGE event, with typically more than 100,000 attendees. I have attended in the past as Press and as an "industry affiliate." It is not a public convention, and is intended for people tied to the CE industry in some way beyond being a consumer.

Two years ago, the number of attendees went up dramatically, with a concern that a lot of "fans" were getting registered. Last year, the requirements to register were tightened up substantially and the crowds were still massive but more manageable (at an estimated 140,000).

This year, the economy has done what tighter rules could not. I have no idea what the attendance is, and the preshow estimate is for a decline of anywhere from 8 to 20%

This doesn't mean this is a failed show at all. It is interesting that the percentage of people wearing suits to those in T shirts is much higher. A lot of meetings are being held formally and informally. You can get around the exhibit hall with much less hassle.

I've been in meetings and events but have managed to see the exhibits, too. I'll be posting more, later.

There are a lot of international visitors, as usual. Many buyers, distributors, manufacturers, big firms, tiny companies. The mix is engaging and interesting.



But it is just not as crowded as it used to be.


With the TV Zombies roaming around, to give us "awareness" about the switchover to all digital TV in the US in February 2009, the smaller crowds are probably a good thing.















Zombies move slow.