CES 2012 is big. Like, really big. In fact, it's the second largest ever. The CEA is very proud of their gigantic trade show, and they've sent us some statistics to celebrate.

CES exhibitors sucked up 1.851 million net square feet this year, 2nd only to 2008's CES, which clocked in at 1.857 million net square feet. There are something like 2,700 companies attending, and over 20,000 new products will be shown (I think most of them are tablets).

By the way, CES hasn't even officially started yet. It officially opens tomorrow, January 10th.

Microsoft is pulling out of CES after this year, which caused some people to wonder if the show is dying. With numbers like these though, it's pretty clear CES isn't going anywhere.

2012 CES Grows, Excites and Catalyzes

International CES Is Largest Annual Show in U.S. History

Las Vegas, Nevada, January 13, 2012 – Executives from business, government, entertainment, automotive, consumer electronics and every major industry converged on the 2012 International CES^® to experience new ways of doing business at the world's largest consumer technology tradeshow. Owned and produced by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)^®, the 2012 International CES concluded today in Las Vegas, Nevada.

2012 CES Grows

The 2012 International CES was the largest in the event's 44 year history, with a record number of more than 3,100 exhibitors across the largest show floor in CES history – 1.861 million net square feet of exhibit space – and drawing a record of more than 153,000 attendees, including more than 34,000 international attendees. More than 20,000 new products were launched at the 2012 CES, which also featured top executives participating in keynote sessions, including those from Qualcomm, Mercedes, Wal-Mart, Intel, Ford, Verizon, Unilver, Ford, eBay, GE, Google and Facebook. Executive delegations from thousands of global companies, from Apple to Zeo, attended the 2012 CES to meet with current and future customers.

CEA is currently reviewing requests for 2013 CES keynotes and will be making announcements in the coming months. In addition, the 2013 International CES is already generating significant interest as space selection for next year's show began this week. For example, 95,000 square feet of exhibit space in the 2013 CES iLounge Pavilion has already sold, and Mazda and BMW have committed to 2013 CES exhibit space along with Ford, Kia, Audi and Hyundai, creating an even larger Apple-related product and automotive presence at the 2013 CES.

2012 CES Excites

Technology innovations generated excitement across the 2012 CES showfloor including the launch of dozens of ultrabooks, OLED TVs, Android 4.0 tablets, next generation smartphones and 3D printers.

The 2012 CES was a star-studded event with numerous Hollywood celebrities in attendance including Eliza Dushku, who served as the Official Ambassador for the CES Entertainment Matters program, as well as Justin Timberlake, Justin Bieber, Ludacris, 50 Cent, Wil.i.am, Wayne Brady, Jillian Michaels, LL Cool J, Ryan Seacrest, Will Smith and Kelly Clarkson.

The 2012 International CES featured government leaders from the U.S. and around the world including FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Senator Dean Heller (R-NV), Representative Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Representative Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Representative Darrell Issa (R-CA), Representative John Shimkus (R-IL), Representative Cliff Stearns (R-FL), Representative Lee Terry (R-NE) and FCC Commissioners Mignon Clyburn and Robert M. McDowell. Also, several ministerial level officials and commissioners from Canada, Columbia, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Korea, Lebanon and Oman also attended CES.

This week, more than 2,000 news articles profiling the innovations at the 2012 CES have appeared in the news media, an increase in media coverage of more than a third over 2011.

2012 CES Catalyzes

"The 2012 CES was the most phenomenal show in our history, generating more energy and excitement across every major industry touching technology than ever before,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of CEA, owner and producer of the International CES. "CES is the change agent, the catalyst, that brings executives from a wide range of industries together and helps them create better ways of doing business together. The breadth and depth of the 2012 CES, which featured more innovative technology products than anywhere else on Earth, is a testament to the dynamic and innovative global consumer technology industry, which will reach $1 trillion globally this year.”

Industries with increased presence at the 2012 International CES include healthcare, automotive, entertainment, advertising and marketing.

Each CES attendee has an average of 12 business meetings that enable them to accomplish a significant amount of networking and business with professionals from a range of industries around the world.

2012 CES Exhibitor Quotes

"I was able to do a year's worth of meetings in two days because CES is the one place, one show, at which 'everyone' attends. There is no more efficient way to get high level meetings with a broad section of companies within the CE ecosystem.” Dave Hagan, President and CEO, Boingo Wireless

"CES is unparalleled in its ability to bring together, in one place, all the folks we need to see to grow our business. I met with CE manufacturers and retailers, chip and handset makers, radio broadcasters, regulators, automakers, press and financial analysts, all in the space of a few days. It's supercharged productivity.” Bob Struble, CEO, iBiquity Digital Corporation

"We are witnessing the promised road of convergence with CES as the ringleader. Devices are talking and many different industries are listening, beyond electronics: media and Internet, energy and utilities, telecommunications, automotive, health and wellbeing companies are migrating to this show. Truly a social media of connected devices is forming, with CES 'friending' industries.” Scott Burnett, Managing Director, IBM

CEA conducts an independent audit of attendance at the International CES and verified figures will be available in the spring. For more news on the 2012 International CES, visit CESweb.org. The International CES will return to Las Vegas January 8-11, 2013.

Note to Journalists: Please note the correct event reference is 2012 International CES. Media information is available in the "For the Press” section of CESweb.org.

About CEA:

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the $190 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry. More than 2,000 companies enjoy the benefits of CEA membership, including legislative advocacy, market research, technical training and education, industry promotion, standards development and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA also owns and produces the International CES – The Global Stage for Innovation. All profits from CES are reinvested into CEA's industry services. Find CEA online: www.CE.organd www.DeclareInnovation.com.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Digital Music Forum East February 22 - 23, 2012, New York, NY
• CEA Economic RetreatFeb 28 - Mar 2, 2012, Vail, CO
• LA Games ConferenceApril 23 - 24, 2012, Los Angeles, CA
• CES on the Hill April 24, 2012, Washington, D.C.
• Digital Patriots Dinner April 25, 2012, Washington, D.C.
• 2012 Spring Technology & Standards ForumMay 14 - 18, 2012, Dallas, TX
• Producers Guild of America's Produced By Conference June 8 - 10, 2012, Culver City, CA

• CE WeekJune 25 - 29, 2012, New York, NY
• CEA Line ShowsJune 27 - 28, 2012, New York, NY
• iStage CompetitionJune 2012, New York, NY
• 2012 SINOCESJuly 5 - 8, 2012, Qingdao, China
• CEA Industry ForumOctober 14 - 17, 2012, San Francisco, CA
• CEO Summit and Board RetreatOctober 17 - 19, 2012, CA
• CES New York Press Preview featuring CES Unveiled @ NYNovember 12, 2012, New York, NY
• 2013 International CESJanuary 8-11, 2013, Las Vegas, NV