Record exhibit space sold

Friday, Dec. 6, 2002 | 11:14 a.m.

Organizers of the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas next month have sold a record amount of exhibit space for the annual event.

A spokeswoman for the Consumer Electronics Association, Arlington, Va., said Thursday that CES will have more than 1.2 million square feet of exhibits at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the Las Vegas Hilton, the Riviera and Alexis Park for the show Jan. 9-12.

Lisa Fasold said CES, which is expected to draw about 100,000 people to Las Vegas, has been more successful than other high-tech trade shows for several reasons, including the fact that floor space is offered at a lower price than at Comdex. She also said CES has a more diverse audience with its variety of products and focuses on bringing consumer outlets together with technology companies instead of tech-company-to-tech-company meetings.

Keynoters at CES will include Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates and Craig Barrett, chief executive officer of Intel Corp. Michael Dell, chief executive officer of Dell Computer Corp., also is scheduled to make his first speaking appearance at CES.