iLounge

As announced this morning in a press release from the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), and in an industry-wide e-mail from iLounge, iPod and iPhone vendors are getting their own large, easy to reach pavilion at the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. We are extremely excited about this pavilion, as we’ve spent the last two weeks canvassing the iPod and iPhone community for the best possible solution to its needs, and believe that the CEA’s hard work has achieved this goal. This brief Q+A is intended to quickly answer a number of questions regarding the event.

Q: Why is an iPod/iPhone pavilion needed at CES?

A: If you’ve ever attended CES, you know that it’s huge—literally “the world’s largest trade show for consumer technology,” with 1.7 million square feet of space. We’ve tried to hunt everywhere for iPod and iPhone products when they were scattered around CES’s many venues, and between the walking, taking taxis, and so on, it was obvious that a better solution was needed. CEA’s removing all the hassle and creating a single place for all the best stuff. This means that everyone will know exactly where they can see what’s new in the world of iPod and iPhone, all at once.

Q: Why is it needed now?

A: Apple’s withdrawal from the 2010 Macworld Expo led many iPod and iPhone developers to tell us that they were not going to exhibit at that show, though they did not know whether they would exhibit at CES because of its huge size. As we spoke with many companies, it was obvious that they wanted a bigger, destination-quality stage with more foot traffic and business opportunities heading into 2010. The comparatively huge attendance at CES (in 2008, almost 3 times larger than Macworld Expo), plus the huge number of retailers and media who only attend CES, gives the iPod and iPhone community its strongest chance to shine going forward.

Q: Where will the pavilion actually be located?

A: The South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Based on prior experience at CES, and our respect for the varied members of the iPod/iPhone community, we pushed hard for a central location, and one that would not force vendors to be adjacent to the AVN Adult Entertainment Expo, which annually schedules itself to overlap with CES. This Hall is a great spot, with its own restaurants and Starbucks, and will meet the needs of everyone we’ve spoken with.

Q: What is iLounge’s role at the event?

A: We are the sponsor of the pavilion, have agreed to let our name be used for it, and plan to set up an actual “iLounge” as a relaxation and recharging zone in its center. iLounge is not selling space or making any money from the pavilion, and explicitly turned down the opportunity to do so. Our only interest is in helping the iPod and iPhone community to get the best possible exposure during a time when everyone will need it, and we look forward to working with everyone—vendors and media alike—to make this happen.

Q: What’s the story with the wait list?

A: Though CEA has set aside a significant amount of space for the iPod and iPhone pavilion, vendors are already excitedly committing to the event, and the space is limited. Contacting CEA immediately to get on the wait list for space is therefore highly recommended.

Q: Who do we need to contact to get on the wait list?

A: iPod and iPhone companies interested in exhibiting at CES 2010 should contact Tira Gordon, National Account Manager for CES, at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). We will be working with CEA on the pavilion map to determine the arrangement and location of vendors.

Q: Who can come to the show?

A: Strictly speaking, the show is limited to attendance by “members of the trade.” Anyone who wants to attend must provide a photo ID such as a driver’s license or passport, and a business card or pay stub “proving their affiliation with the consumer electronics industry.” This is not a highly restrictive requirement.

Q: Who should consider exhibiting?

A: In our view, any company that wants to be exposed to the global media and retail attendees who attend CES to make their annual coverage and purchasing plans. CEA is offering at least three types of booths: small pods, medium turnkey spaces, and larger “regular booth” spaces. Our hope is that small and large companies alike will exhibit, and from what we understand, the costs of these options are very reasonable.

We will add additional questions and answers to this FAQ as appropriate, and look forward to seeing you at this new pavilion at the 2010 International CES!