The 2009 International CES covered 1.7 million net square feet of exhibit space, which housed more than 2,700 global companies, including 300 new exhibitors. Roughly 20,000 new technology products were featured at the world’s largest consumer-technology trade show, proving the Consumer Electronics industry is upbeat despite the economic downturn.
The AAFES Hardlines/PowerZone team was at CES, scouting the conference for the best and latest gadgets we could provide our authorized customers. I asked Robert Lopez, divisional merchandise manager (DMM) handling PowerZone II (music, video and computers) in the AAFES Sales Directorate, to fill me and you in on what his team brought back from CES.
- How many buyers on the Hardlines/PowerZone team attended the CES show? What are their positions?
Melissa Kitchen: Computer Accessories and Peripherals; Brandon Crowder; DVD players, Digital Alarm clocks, 2-way radios & TV mounts; Jorge Calandria: Camera, Camcorders & Memory; Mark Moody: Home Audio – to include Ipods; Steve Lushbaugh: TV’s, Front Projectors; and Bob Dunnaway: POSA cards, GPS, Blank Media, Audio Storage & Telephones.
- What sessions and exhibits were you, as a team, most looking forward to attending?
The 3-D televisions exhibits, the newest TV technology, that each of the major manufacturers were including in their 09 roll-outs were a ‘must see’. Additionally, to determine the potential impact that this new technology has on the Video Accessory category is critical. Also, the new line of Sony Viao ‘micro’ computers was important to review, as well as, the new line of wi-fi printers targeted for introduction into the market for 09.
- Why are AAFES buyers attending CES?
The most important reason for attending the CES show is the opportunity to review all the newest technologies for all electronic categories targeted for roll-out in 2009. This information is critical for the teams to begin formulating their strategies on how they are going to develop their 09 assortments.
(Photo: Starting from left Mat Dromey, Chief Marketing Officer; Karin Duncan, Vice President of Sales Directorate; Maggie Burgess, Senior Vice President of Sales Directorate; and Michael Howard, Chief Operating Officer.)
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