2006 CES Expands to Sands Convention Center May 12, 2004 -- Arlington, Va. -- In an effort to improve logistics and meet the demand for exhibit booth space, the International CES, the world's largest annual tradeshow for consumer technology, has contracted with the Sands Convention Center for 2006 International CES, held January 5-8, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nev. The International CES will use the space to accommodate new and expanding exhibitors, emerging technology product categories, special exhibits and co-located and partnered events. "The continued growth of the consumer electronics industry is reflected in the demand for floor space at the International CES," said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), the producer of CES. "Demand for exhibit space currently exceeds the amount of space inside the Las Vegas Convention Center. We have explored a variety of options to accommodate our growth and contracting space at the Sands will help with logistics and quench our members and exhibitors need for space." "For the second year in a row, CES has sold out the existing convention center and is using outdoor structures to accommodate additional space needs," said Karen Chupka, vice president of events and conferences, CEA. "We will continue to balance the continued growth of the show with the need to provide efficient traffic flow and infrastructure support to our exhibitors and attendees." After considering shifting existing categories to the Sands, CEA decided to use halls A and B of the Sands to help stimulate new partnerships and emerging technologies. Due to the expansion to the Sands Convention Center in 2006, the outside tent-like structures outside the Las Vegas Convention Center needed for the 2004-2005 shows will be eliminated, which shall help improve traffic flow and show logistics. With 1.3 million square-feet of space already sold, the 2005 International CES will be held Thursday, January 6 through Sunday, January 9, in Las Vegas. For more news on CES before, during and after the show, visit www.CESweb.org.