CES 2009

The past two years, I have attended the one show that all gadgeteers envy to attend - the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Usually during the second week of January, companies from all over the world come to this city that never sleeps to exposition the latest and greatest in tech. From cell phones to TVs to computers to cars, it's all here, and boy is it a rush. However, this year I decided not to go, because the second time that I went last year I was not as excited by what I saw on the showroom floor. Despite that, if you've never been, and you work in a sector that deals with consumer electronics, you.have.to.go.at.least.once.

Now, you may wonder, "What's so great about going to CES? They're just showing crap, it's not like you can buy any of it...". Well, the whole idea of the Consumer Electronics Show is that people who work in the Consumer Electronics are to exhibit and showcase their up and coming products and technology. It is, a trade show of sorts. It is NOT open to the public specifically so that only those that work in the Consumer Electronics industry are able to sample and see what the latest and greatest trends are and will be in that coming year. To put it simply... you get to see shit before it hits the stores.

Personally, I have only gone because of my fascination with gadgets and being able to see the latest gadgets before they even arrive at stores is definitely exciting for me. While I was working at Best Buy, I saw this opportunity to be able to not only feed my obsession over gadgets, but also be able to learn and know about products before they even enter the store, and thus be better prepared at informing the customer about what will be coming (that is, if that product will fit their needs better than current offerings). However, now that I no longer work for Best Buy (retail is not for me...sadly), I do not see any other reason to go to CES other than to appeal to my personal interests.

One funny tidbit about CES though, is that while you have to be involved in the consumer electronics industry, it is not defined as to how far of a stretch that you are involved. For example, I saw a few attendees that worked at a library. Yes, a library. The only consumer electronics I believe for a library are just...well... computers. As working in Information Technology, I suppose I could still qualify to go to CES, since technically I do work on consumer electronics (laptops, higher education audio/visual equipment, etc.). But I digress.

In retrospect, the experience of CES, especially for a young adult as myself is definitely something to remember. You get to meet and talk with some of the people that are directly involved in the design, marketing, and engineering of the products that you find in stores. In doing so, it brings a much wider view of the world into mind -- that there is so much more to the world and life. You definitely are exposed to people such that it gives you an idea of "the big picture", and trust me, it is amazing.