Innovation meets policy at the Consumer Electronics Association’s (CEA)^® Innovation Policy Summit at the 2013 International CES^®. The summit will host discussions from top government officials and representatives from startups and established consumer electronics companies to highlight the relationship between groundbreaking products and technology policies at the 2013 CES, the world’s largest innovation event, January 8-11, 2013, in Las Vegas. Speakers include representatives from the U.S. Congress, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Google and Verizon as well as the Chairman and all four Commissioners from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

“Year after year, CES has highlighted the real impact policy issues have on technology. We saw this last year with the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect IP Act (PIPA) which created a storm of industry opposition during the show and into early 2012,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CEA. “We are thrilled to host top government leaders to the 2013 CES to discuss issues such as strategic immigration reform, patent reform, allocation of wireless spectrum and energy efficiency. By bringing leading government officials together with individuals from some of America’s greatest and most innovative companies, we hope to encourage a more collaborative future between policy efforts and the technology industry.”

Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) will introduce the panel “Strategic Immigration: Bringing the Best and Brightest to America” during the Innovation Policy Summit at the 2013 CES, at 11 a.m., Tuesday, January 8, in Las Vegas Convention and World Trade Center (LVCC), North Hall, N254. The session will include panelist Jeremy Robbins, policy advisor and special counsel, Office of Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Innovators and Washington policymakers will come together in the “Fighting the Patent Trolls” panel session at 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, January 8, in the LVCC, North Hall, N254 to discuss how they are working together to help the tech industry innovate. Representative Peter DeFazio (D-OR) will deliver opening remarks and introduce a robust panel including representatives from VOXX International, Google and Newegg Inc.

As a crusader for American ingenuity throughout his political career, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) will present “Agenda to Promote Innovation Through a Global Free and Open Internet,” at 9:15 a.m., Wednesday, January 9, in the LVCC, N254.

“Facing the Policy Issues of Facial Recognition Technology,” at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 9, in the LVCC, North Hall, N254, will include an introduction from The Honorable Maureen K. Ohlhausen, commissioner, FTC. Harley Geiger, legislative counsel, Office of Representative Zoe Lofgren will participate as a panelist.

On Wednesday, January 9, at 11:45 a.m., in the LVCC, North Hall, N254, “Voluntary Incentive Auctions: The Wireless Future is Here!” will delve into how the FCC auctions will help the U.S. maintain its leadership role in technology and innovation. Representative Lee Terry (R-NE) will provide opening remarks. Panel participants include Bill Lake, chief, media bureau, FCC; Neil Fried, chief counsel, Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, Energy and Commerce Committee, U.S. House of Representatives; and John Branscome, Professional Staff Member, Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet, Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, U.S. Senate.

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) will introduce a passionate panel session at noon on Wednesday, January 9, in the LVCC, North Hall, N254. “Washington and the Startup Economy: First, Do No Harm” will pull insights from entrepreneurs and policymakers to discuss what Congress needs to do to ensure the next generation of high-tech, high-skilled jobs are created in America.

At 1:30 p.m., on Wednesday, January 9, in the LVCC, North Hall, N254, Gary Shapiro will join FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski for a one-on-one conversation to discuss his tenure at the FCC and his vision for the agency’s future.

“The FCC’s Regulatory Agenda for 2013” will bring together four FCC Commissioners in a panel session including The Honorable Robert McDowell, The Honorable Mignon Clyburn, The Honorable Jessica Rosenworcel and The Honorable Ajit Pai. The session will take place at 2:45 p.m., on Wednesday, January 9, in the LVCC, North Hall, N254.

The Honorable Robert McDowell and David Redl, counsel, Committee on Energy and Commerce, U.S. House of Representatives will also be a panelist for the session “Some Countries Want the UN to Regulate the Internet. So, What’s the Problem?” The panel will be moderated by Ambassador David Gross, partner, Wiley Rein, at 4:00 p.m., on Wednesday, January 9, in the LVCC, North Hall, N254.

The final day of the Innovation Policy Summit will include a panel on “E-waste Policy in the U.S.,” at 10:00 a.m., on Thursday, January 10, in the LVCC, North Hall, N254. State Senator Stephen Urquhart (R-UT) and Garth Hickle, product stewardship team leader, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency will join the panel dialogue on creating a sustainable, industry-driven CE recycling system.

State Senator Michael J. Rubio (D-CA), chair of the Environmental Safety Committee, California State Senate will participate in a panel conversation entitled “Energy Efficiency: Is the Industry Leading the Way to Energy Savings?” at 11:30 a.m., on Thursday, January 10, in the LVCC, North Hall, N254.

David Strickland, administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will provide opening remarks for “Driving the Debate on Safe Driving,” at 1:00 p.m., on Thursday, January 10, in the LVCC, North Hall N254. He will be joined by representatives from Mobileye Inc., Verizon and AT&T.

For the full line-up of Innovation Policy Summit sessions and other CES conference programs, visit CESweb.org.

Note to Editors: The official name of the global technology event is “International CES.” Subsequent references to the show can be shortened to “CES.” Please do not use “Consumer Electronics Show” to refer to the International CES.

About CEA:

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)^® is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the $206 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: www.CE.org and www.DeclareInnovation.com. Follow CES at www.CESweb.org and through social media: http://facebook.com/InternationalCES, http://twitter.com/IntlCES, http://blog.ce.org/.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• 2013 International CES
  January 8-11, 2013, Las Vegas, NV

• Economic Retreat
  March 8-10, 2013, Snowmass, CO