By John Ghysels, Special to Technology-Report.com

I’ve attended, worked, booked and even produced some good sized industry events in my day. However, I was unprepared for the sheer scale and scope of the CES Las Vegas experience.  Without a doubt the largest vendor exhibition on the planet, the size of CES simply boggles the expectations. This massive five day party stretches out over multiple floors of four large Vegas hotels, easily filling aircraft hanger style spaces with mazes of massive displays, lounges, rooms, hallways, conference rooms, listening rooms, interview spaces, tele-video rooms, demo areas and every other imaginable bit of space needed to demonstrate, communicate and sell ideas.  Each area creates experiences of massive city like regions of booths organized by technology and, in the case of the wholesaler booths, by nation, creating a far more entertaining, gadget soaked version of Epcot. 

Against the over-the-top technology and entertainment focused environment of Las Vegas, the CES Show blends well.  The first class entertainment, industry leadering speakers, innovative breakouts and engaging vendors at CES were far beyond my high expectations. 

Above all, CES is not really about gadgets, but about the development of ideas and the excitement of communicating them. It isn’t just about products which solve problems, but mostly new concepts which seek to improve and enhance life.  Seeing them all, in one gigantic marketplace explosion of innovation and competition, the experience is awe inspiring. 

At CES, each company and entrepreneur, inspired by their vision, seek to inspire each of us. CES is a testament to the strength and power of the imagination to create ideas you can touch, feel and see. 

John Ghysels, 1/14/2009