CEA to End Tech Enthusiast Membership, Redesign CE.org Website

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ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)® announced today that the Tech Enthusiast (TE) program will be discontinued. CEA also announced a redesign of its website, CE.org, which will become home in 2012 to the original consumer content originally housed on the TE website. CEA’s Tech Enthusiast program was a paid membership category within CEA designed for individuals, whereas the new CE.org will offer free access.

“CEA walks the talk and takes risks to innovate. Sometimes we fail and we learn from it and move forward. The TE program did not attract the large numbers we needed to make it viable so we are discontinuing it,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CEA. “At the same time, we understand consumers want tech information and we are pleased to be implementing a free consumer portal on CE.org. CEA remains focused on providing the highest quality service to its more than 2,000 corporate members and on producing the world’s largest technology tradeshow, the International CES.”

CEA has stopped accepting new members or partners for the TE program. The membership site, CEAte.org, will remain live through January 31, 2012, after which it will be discontinued. TE members who still have an active membership as of February 1, 2012 will be provided a refund of their membership fee. Tech Enthusiast members with questions can contact [email protected].

To provide consumers information and other content about consumer electronics, CEA is redesigning its homepage, CE.org to include a free consumer portal. CEA will transition the content that was on CEAte.org to the redesigned CE.org. This will include original content from former Washington Post columnist and tech expert Rob Pegoraro, who provided TE members exclusive weekly columns, webinars and podcasts. Pegoraro’s invaluable insight into the tech industry will soon be offered free on http://blog.ce.org/.

Consumers can continue to follow and interact with CEA online and via social media at http://blog.ce.org/, http://www.facebook.com/CEAfeed, and http://twitter.com/ceafeed.

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 at www.CE.org, www.DeclareInnovation.com and through social media: https://www.facebook.com/#!/CEAfeed, http://twitter.com/ceafeed, http://blog.ce.org/.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• CES Unveiled: The Official Press Event of the International CESJanuary 8, 2012, Las Vegas, NV

• 2012 International CESJanuary 10-13, 2012, Las Vegas, NV

• 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
• 2012 Spring Technology & Standards ForumMay 14 - 18, 2012, Dallas, TX
• CE WeekJune 25 - 29, 2012, New York, NY
• CEA Line ShowsJune 27 - 28, 2012, New York, NY
• CEA Industry ForumOctober 14 - 17, 2012, San Francisco, CA
• CEO Summit and Board RetreatOctober 17 - 19, 2012, CA

Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)Steve Kidera, 703-907-4358[email protected]www.CE.orgorMegan Pollock, 703-907-7668[email protected]

Source: Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)

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