"We are down a little bit in terms of exhibit space, but it will be our third largest show in our history." said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association.

The CES Exhibition, held from January 8^th to 11^th at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas Hilton, Sands Expo and the Convention Center inside the Venetian Resort and Casino, has registered 2,700 exhibitors for this year’s event, including retailers, buyers, financial analysts, media, content creators, telecommunication services and cable providers as well as other companies from more than 140 countries. Shapiro also said that exhibitors have leased 1.7 million square feet of space, down 5.6 percent from last year.

According to Shapiro, from all the registered exhibitors, only 50 companies have reduced their exhibition areas, and that one or two will not be present at this year show. More than 130,000 visitors are expected, and free early registrations were up compared with last year.

 

Travelers assisting to the 2009 CES will also find cheaper this year. Since the tourism industry in Las Vegas has been struggling to remain attractive and affordable for visitors, the Las Vegas hotels have dramatically reduced its rates and prices to "a point of obscenity and extortion" Shapiro said.

Shapiro hopes that this year CES, in its 41st year, remains a must-attend event for the consumer-electronics industry as well as for other sectors of the market.

"Our vision of the show is a convergence event where you have software and content and technology and broadcast and cable and satellite ... all the very top players," he added.