The 2008 Internation CES is just over a month away and now is the time to really get serious in terms of creating schedules and registering for various events. As John put it recently in one of his posts, the only good title to have at an industry trade show is a media title. Vendors treat you totally different once they see “editor/analyst” on your press badge, which is a good thing!
Press also get special perks, like exclusive use of media rooms with computer and Wi-Fi access, free lunch and even gift packages (I still use my CES backpack from last year’s show). Another great perk for the media is getting into press-only events and CES has a nice selection of press-only events that we will be attending.
CES Unveiled takes place on Saturday, January 5, which is two days before the actual show begins. This event is the perfect opportunity to get a sneak-peek at the hottest product debuts that will take place at the show. 60 leading technology companies will be on hand, which makes for a great networking environment with them as well as other press.
Digital Experience is a press event hosted by Pepcom that takes place Sunday evening, January 7. Digital Experience is billed as “a unique opportunity to meet the most influential people in technology — in one place, at one time.” Over 750 media attended this event last year (which is half press event, half party) and we are certainly looking to see what this event is all about come January.
Lunch @ Piero’s is exactly what the name implies: free lunch! This press-only event offers participants a nice, free lunch with the option to check out some exhibits on hand in a less crowded atmosphere than the trade show floor. This event takes place Monday and Tuesday, January 7 and 8.
ShowStoppers is one of the few events that doesn’t take place before the actual trade show begins. This event is hosted Monday evening, January 8 from 6-10 p.m. This is one of the elite press events that brings in such media as CBS News, Rolling Stone Magazine and CNN, just to name a few. I plan to drop by this event for an hour or so, as we will have other parties to attend later that evening.
All of these events are either media-only or invite-only, which can make it tricky to get into… but we have already been invited 
