| CES 2007 Continued |
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CES 2007 Impressions and Comments
Press Room:
The press room was a joke this year and made the jobs of most press agents much more difficult than in the previous years. Problems included poor/non-functional wireless due to massive abuse and non-restriction to press agents. The wireless could have been setup with simple WEP encryption to prevent most outside visitors from accessing it but this was not done. The hard wired lines that were provided were not enough for the number of press agents. The food in the press room was ok but again not enough and the lunches were done "Box" style instead of catered as they were in previous years. As attendance is up and the revenue from the show is as well there was no reason to skimp on making sure the press had what they needed to do one of the most important parts of the show. The officials at the show also allowed children even babies to enter the press room and into the parties at the show. This is completely unacceptable as the event should maintain an adult atmosphere without crying babies or having to step around children on the show floor.
Transportation:
CES officials either underestimated the number of attendees or how the Las Vegas roads and traffic have changed in one year as the bus and shuttle transportation was a nightmare. Too few busses, too many people, and long transportation times plagued attendees. Getting to the convention center from one of the strip hotels only a mile away routinely took 45 minutes. Return transportation to your hotel could take 45 minutes to board a bus and another 30 minutes to arrive at your hotel. Shame on CES for not taking notice from previous years problem. We anticipate transportation at CES 2008 will be worse. Attendees should stock up on Monorail tickets and bring loads of cash for Taxis, or bring your walking shoes.
CES Officials:
The officials we met at CES in previous years were polite and easy to work with. This year they are either under staffed, or overworked as the attitude of most CES officials int he press room, on the floors, and working with attendees was horrid. As a press member I often need quick information and the ability to gather photo's, video, and speak with exhibitors with freedom. CES officials consistently interfered with press members and were uncooperative when asked for assistance. Too few signs were placed on the show floor to navigate easily, and the floor was unbelieveably crowded leading to the need for wider walking corridors.
Conclusion:
CES is the most important technology show in America and one of the most important shows world wide. Officials from every country show up to demonstrate the technology that will lead the next year. Press agents and industry affiliates play the most important role of transmitting the new information and enabling technology to prosper. I hope that CES reads this and realizes that they need to get their act together for CES going forward or they will be doing the industry serious harm.
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