Top Government Speakers Include Members of Congress and Officials from Commerce, Homeland Security, EPA, FCC, FTC

Arlington, Va., January 4, 2011 – The CEA Innovation Policy Summit at the 2012 International CES® includes top government officials who will underscore the relationship between product innovation and technology policies at the world’s largest tradeshow for consumer technology, January 10-13, 2012, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Speakers include representatives from Congress, the Department of Commerce, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

“We are thrilled to welcome our nation’s top government leaders to the 2012 International CES,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CEA. “Technology policy issues have real impact on the more than 2,700 companies and 20,000 products at the International CES. Spectrum-hungry products like smartphones and tablets alone make the case for one of our most pressing issues – legislation that authorizes the FCC to hold incentive spectrum auctions. In addition, our speakers will discuss topics like online piracy, intellectual property and environmental standards – all of which will shape the future of the technology industry.”

Greg Schaffer, Acting DHS Deputy Undersecretary, National Protection and Programs Directorate will moderate a panel on mobile computer security during the Innovation Policy Summit at the 2012 CES, at 11 a.m., Tuesday January 10 in Las Vegas Convention and World Trade Center (LVCC), North Hall, N264.

An open conversation with members of Congress will take place during “Congress Talks Tech Policy” at 11:15 a.m., Wednesday, January 11, in the LVCC, North Hall, N264, moderated by The Daily Caller’sTucker Carlson. Participants include Representative Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Representative Lee Terry (R-NE), Representative Cliff Stearns (R-FL), Representative Darrell Issa (R-CA) and Representative John Shimkus (R-IL).

“Guarding Your Online Privacy” at 12:30 p.m., on Wednesday, January 11, in LVCC, North Hall, N264, will include Ari Schwartz, Senior Policy Advisor, Office of Policy and Strategic Planning, Office of the Chief of Staff, U.S. Department of Commerce.

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski joins CEA’s Shapiro for a frank policy discussion of FCC priorities at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 11, in LVCC, North Hall, N255-257. “The FCC’s Regulatory Agenda for 2012,” held at 3 p.m., Wednesday, January 11, in LVCC, North Hall, N264, will feature confirmed FCC Commissioners Mignon Clyburn and Robert McDowell on spectrum allocation, accessibility, nationwide device compatibility and more.
On Wednesday, January 11 at 2:45p.m. in the LVCC, North Hall, N252, Congressional Daily’s Keith Perinewill interview Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) surrounding technology policy issues.

Innovation and economic growth will be the focus of “Getting Us Back on Track:  How Technology and Innovation Can Save America,” scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Thursday, January 12, in LVCC, North Hall, N264.Dr. Rebecca Blank, Acting Deputy Secretary of Commerce, U.S. Department of Commerce, will deliver opening remarks prior to the session with panelists from Cisco Systems, DEKA Research and Development Corporation, Hattery and Penn Schoen Berland.

Officials from Europe, Australia and California will join industry representatives to discuss the most effective approaches to energy efficiency for consumer electronics during the session “Energy Efficiency, Innovation and Economic Growth,” on Tuesday, January 10 at 3:30 p.m. in LVCC, North Hall, N264.

Katharine Kaplan, Team Lead, Energy Star Product Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, will be joined on the Green Standards for Consumer Electronics panel on Thursday, January 12, at 12:00 p.m., LVCC, North Hall N264, by representatives from Dell and Sharp Labs of America.

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

The 2012 CES will feature more than 2,700 global technology companies unveiling the latest consumer technology products and services across 15 major product categories including the latest in audio, automotive electronics, connected home technologies, digital imaging/photography, electronic gaming, entertainment/content and more.