Internet — what else? — to be showcased at CES

Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2000 | 11:10 a.m.

The largest Consumer Electronics Show in the event's 32-year history begins Wednesday in Las Vegas with a keynote address from a familiar figure.

Bill Gates, chairman and chief executive officer of Microsoft Corp., will address delegates of the show that is known for introducing products like videocassette recorders and compact disc players to the world.

CES is not open to the public.

More than 90,000 pre-registered industry members are expected to attend the show, which the sponsoring Consumer Electronics Association bills as a four-day event. The trade show floors at four Las Vegas locations are open Thursday through Sunday, but for the first time since the show debuted in New York City in 1967, a keynote speech is set for the night before the trade show's opening.

Gates, an icon of the computer industry, was the kickoff speaker for Comdex in Las Vegas in November. His topic Wednesday is expected to be different from the one he delivered six weeks ago.

"Our show serves a different audience than Comdex," said Robbi Lycett, vice president of International CES, based in Arlington, Va. "We're more directed to the end user."

Because of that, CES is a more consumer-friendly event and morning news shows from national networks frequently set up broadcasts from the four local venues -- the Las Vegas Convention Center, the Sands Expo Center, the Las Vegas Hilton and the Alexis Park Hotel.

Lycett said thousands of electronic devices in 29 categories will be shown and presentations are scheduled on the impact of the Internet on society, advancements in e-commerce and digital products for homes.

More than 1,500 exhibitors will fill 1.1 million square feet, making it one of the nation's largest exhibitions by area. Comdex had 2,000 exhibitors and just over 1 million square feet of exhibitions.

Digital technology applications for consumers' lifestyles and workplaces are expected to take center stage among the show's highlights. Exhibitors also will show Internet access devices, digital audio and video products, information technology, mobile electronics, wireless technology and accessory products.

The Alexis Park Hotel, typically not a major convention venue in the city, will be home to audio product displays. The individual hotel rooms are ideal for attendees to see -- and hear -- sound systems in comfort.

Another exhibit at this year's show is Digital Hollywood, a collection of devices and products that bring motion pictures to the home.

The 90,000-plus attendees will come from more than 100 countries and include manufacturers, retailers, content providers and creators, engineers, financial analysts and government leaders.

A half-day seminar on the Internet will be conducted by Virginia Gov. James Gilmore and Rep. Thomas Bliley, R-Va., who are expected to discuss the thorny issue of taxing Internet commerce.

Joining Gates as speakers for the event will be Eric Benhamou, chairman of 3Com Corp.; Scott McNealy, chairman of Sun Microsystems; and Rob Glaser, chairman of RealNetworks Inc. Federal Communictions Commission Chairman William Kennard also will address an invitation-only luncheon.

Lycett said this year's show has had strong prebooking levels. The organization has acquired a block of 15,000 rooms at 30 hotels, but she said many companies and individuals make their own reservations.

Traffic around the four convention venues is expected to be heavy at the hours the trade show floors open. The floors open at 10 a.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. Friday through Sunday and close at 4 p.m. Sunday and 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

CES has its own shuttle bus system established between convention venues and from all the major resort properties. Extra taxis have been approved to operate by the Taxicab Authority.