Consumer Electronic Insiders Ready to Launch

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 8, 2007 — -- The booths are staffed, bunting is up, and the programs are printed.

Today marks the official start of the 40th annual International Consumer Electronics Show, but for the attendees who make their living off bits, bytes, watts and volts the party has already started.

"Truly the digital decade is happening," said Bill Gates, Microsoft Corp.'s co-founder and chairman, during his preshow keynote speech before a packed crowd on Sunday night at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Citing statistics such as 2 billion digital photos snapped in 2006 and pointing out that 40 percent of homes have multiple PCs and that children are prone to spend more time on their PC than in front of the TV, Gates previewed Vista, the next generation of the Windows operating system that is set to be released in just 22 days.

His message was about the need for connectivity, and he demonstrated how computers, Xbox game consoles, and even cars needed to be able to communicate and share files for a modern digital lifestyle to progress.

Gates' call to action is the unofficial kickoff of an event that is expected to draw more than 140,000 attendees from 130 countries, ranging from industry titans like Gates to journalists, vendors and inventors.

Today's keynote speaker is Walt Disney CEO Bob Iger, who is expected to talk about the convergence of content and consumer electronics. Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

The sheer volume of visitors fills every hotel room and makes getting around nearly impossible, but that doesn't stop the 2,700 companies that will exhibit their goods filling 35 football fields' worth of space and 65 miles of plush convention carpet.

Consumer electronics sell best during the December holidays, but for the hospitality service workers in Las Vegas, a virtual Christmas lasts into the first week of January.

"CES is a big show for this town," said Keith, a valet parker at the Renaissance Hotel situated next to the convention center. "There are a lot of people who come to town for the show, and we always look forward to having them."