Gutierrez to Join CES SuperSession

US Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez will deliver opening keynote remarks as part of an International SuperSession at the 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), to be held Jan. 8-11 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

Gutierrez's speech, "International Competitiveness in the 21st Century: Maintaining an Environment for Innovation," will kick off the International SuperSession, set for Jan. 9 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), North Hall N262. Secretary Gutierrez is the first US Cabinet member to be a featured speaker at CES, which is produced by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and is now in its 40th year.

Following Secretary Gutierrez's address, the International SuperSession will feature a panel discussion with top government officials from Brazil, Japan and the US focused on consumers access to broadband networks, the availability of wireless spectrum and the transition to digital broadcasting.

Gutierrez was sworn into office on Feb. 7, 2005, and is the 35th secretary of the US Department of Commerce, the voice of business in government. The former chairman of the board and CEO of Kellogg Co., Gutierrez is a core member of President Bush's economic team and oversees a diverse Cabinet agency with some 40,000 workers and a $5.8 billion budget focused on promoting American business at home and abroad.

"Secretary Gutierrez has been instrumental in expanding international markets for US companies and enabling consumers around the world to purchase the consumer technology products they desire," said CEA president and CEO Gary Shapiro. "We are honored to have Secretary Gutierrez speak at this year's International CES and share his views on international competitiveness and technology policy issues crucial to the continued growth and dynamism of the consumer electronics industry."

For more information, visit: www.CESweb.org