Here’s the announcement that came from the CES folks in advance of the big show coming up in January. Steve Bass at PC World Magazine is making a fuss over the fact that users group reps will not be allowed in. This is indeed regrettable since they have no COMDEX to attend and they have traditionally been given a pass to these shows.
The Bloggers are another story and it’s something that CES and other large shows are going to have to resolve. There are indeed Bloggers whose readership exceeds that of print writers. There are plenty of print writers who actually have few readers despite the circulation of their publication. But there is at least some standard by which to judge – an audited circulation.
There are probably around 6 million serious bloggers, maybe more. Many of them, probably thousands, would love to go to CES. Some of them should be allowed in as media. But how can the CES folks determine who should be let in and who is just a Live Journal blogger with a readership consisting of family members and the cat?
Since both the Democratic and Republican conventions, much more exclusive venues than CES, invited bloggers I think CES should do the same. But how? There is no real clearing house for bloggers. And if CES allowed applications they could get a million to sift through. Smart money can always get into such a show and I suppose that this is just a challenge like any other. It’s not impossible. But at some point when do bloggers get real credentials? Does anyone have any idea? I’d be interested in hearing solutions to this problem.
Letter from the CES folks:
Dear Registrant:
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the 2005 International CES. Due to space and other resource considerations, the media credentialing process is a priority for us and our exhibitors. At this time, The International CES is not issuing press credentials to the following individuals:
1. User Groups – including pc/windows user/monitor groups; computer club newsletters or societies.
2. Bloggers – Unless they have credentials from another media outlet/source that can be verified.
Individuals who are affiliated with the CE industry may
register for the International CES through general attendee registration. Since you are registered, please click the link below to log back into the system with your e-mail and password to complete the demographic questions for the attendee registration. Please go to www.CESweb.org, click “register” and scroll down the page on the right-hand side of the screen and enter your information under “update my 2005 registration”. The International CES is an industry event that is not open to the general public. Attendees must be able to verify a direct business relationship to the consumer electronics industry to be able to attend the show.
Thank you for your interest in the International CES. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.
