Comments on: Why consumers aren’t at the Consumer Electronics Show http://www.livedigitally.com/2007/01/14/why-consumers-arent-at-the-consumer-electronics-show/ Reviews and opinions about consumer technology, gadgets, Websites, new media, services, and more. Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:06:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Gary Milam http://www.livedigitally.com/2007/01/14/why-consumers-arent-at-the-consumer-electronics-show/#comment-113108 Gary Milam Sat, 20 Jan 2007 06:15:02 +0000 http://www.livedigitally.com/2007/01/14/why-consumers-arent-at-the-consumer-electronics-show/#comment-113108 I was actually with Rex Thomas when we were informed that we were not "eligible" to attend the show. We are both fervent electronics consumers, having come from lengthy careers as electronics technicians. We have both recently retired, but are still quite involved with electronic innovations and concepts. We were shocked by the resrictions, which we were unable to find posted anywhere (at least in all the places we looked). I would submit that in order to help prevent this type of misunderstanding in the future, the restriction be placed in BOLD LETTERING in obvious places on the CES website. I was actually with Rex Thomas when we were informed that we were not “eligible” to attend the show. We are both fervent electronics consumers, having come from lengthy careers as electronics technicians. We have both recently retired, but are still quite involved with electronic innovations and concepts. We were shocked by the resrictions, which we were unable to find posted anywhere (at least in all the places we looked). I would submit that in order to help prevent this type of misunderstanding in the future, the restriction be placed in BOLD LETTERING in obvious places on the CES website.

]]> By: Dave Zatz http://www.livedigitally.com/2007/01/14/why-consumers-arent-at-the-consumer-electronics-show/#comment-112373 Dave Zatz Wed, 17 Jan 2007 15:08:28 +0000 http://www.livedigitally.com/2007/01/14/why-consumers-arent-at-the-consumer-electronics-show/#comment-112373 The argument can be made that the 140,000 press, analysts, and industry people ARE consumers. Especially as you watch people jockey for free schwag. Having said that, I was grateful to attend as a blogger and can't imagine allowing any more folks in -- it's already overcrowded. The argument can be made that the 140,000 press, analysts, and industry people ARE consumers. Especially as you watch people jockey for free schwag. Having said that, I was grateful to attend as a blogger and can’t imagine allowing any more folks in — it’s already overcrowded.

]]> By: KJH http://www.livedigitally.com/2007/01/14/why-consumers-arent-at-the-consumer-electronics-show/#comment-112029 KJH Mon, 15 Jan 2007 19:09:55 +0000 http://www.livedigitally.com/2007/01/14/why-consumers-arent-at-the-consumer-electronics-show/#comment-112029 The statement about CES being a lot of work resonated with me, and I just had to comment. As a relative newcomer to the '<a HREF="http://gizmosforgeeks.com/index.php/articles/2871" rel="nofollow">press</A>' (a few years), CES has been a whirlwind week every time, with long days and not enough sleep. By the time the show opened on Monday, I was tired! I've attended in the past as a consumer, back when it wasn't so crowded, and it sure is fun. But now that I'm one of the 'working' types at the show, I have to admit not really wanting to see too many consumers be allowed to attend. I feel sorry for the booth staffers who have to repeat the same thing and do the same demo over and over. Imagine if they had to do that continuously for 4 days straight! Perhaps CEA should institute some kind of guest hours/day program. The statement about CES being a lot of work resonated with me, and I just had to comment. As a relative newcomer to the ‘press‘ (a few years), CES has been a whirlwind week every time, with long days and not enough sleep. By the time the show opened on Monday, I was tired!

I’ve attended in the past as a consumer, back when it wasn’t so crowded, and it sure is fun. But now that I’m one of the ‘working’ types at the show, I have to admit not really wanting to see too many consumers be allowed to attend. I feel sorry for the booth staffers who have to repeat the same thing and do the same demo over and over. Imagine if they had to do that continuously for 4 days straight!

Perhaps CEA should institute some kind of guest hours/day program.

]]> By: Jeff http://www.livedigitally.com/2007/01/14/why-consumers-arent-at-the-consumer-electronics-show/#comment-112026 Jeff Mon, 15 Jan 2007 18:17:29 +0000 http://www.livedigitally.com/2007/01/14/why-consumers-arent-at-the-consumer-electronics-show/#comment-112026 The CES admission restrictions serve to prevent just anyone from walking in off the street. They also serve to discourage consumers from making the trip specifically to attend the show. However, while I absolutely see why they don't make it open and think Jeremy's points are valid, getting in isn't all that difficult. A little foresight and a plan goes a long way. CES is actually much easier to get into than CEDIA, which polices attendance more strictly. But even with CEDIA, you can get in. So, while the official policy of all such events is what it is, someone who really wants to go can find a number of ways in (and I'm not about anything illegal or even about sneaking in). After all, I attendedlast year and got to meet Jeremy! BTW, nice to see you doing well post Sling. :-) Jeff The CES admission restrictions serve to prevent just anyone from walking in off the street. They also serve to discourage consumers from making the trip specifically to attend the show. However, while I absolutely see why they don’t make it open and think Jeremy’s points are valid, getting in isn’t all that difficult. A little foresight and a plan goes a long way.

CES is actually much easier to get into than CEDIA, which polices attendance more strictly. But even with CEDIA, you can get in. So, while the official policy of all such events is what it is, someone who really wants to go can find a number of ways in (and I’m not about anything illegal or even about sneaking in). After all, I attendedlast year and got to meet Jeremy! BTW, nice to see you doing well post Sling. :-)

Jeff

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