The International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) announced a partnership with CMP Media, as sponsor and producer of the EE Times Great Minds, Great Ideas Zone and conference program at the 2006 International CES, the world's largest tradeshow for consumer technology. The 2006 International CES will take place January 5-8, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

As part of the focus on emerging technology at the Innovations Plus exhibits at the Sands Expo and Convention Center, EE Times will present the Great Minds, Great Ideas Zone, along with a program of panel discussions titled, "Great Minds, Great Ideas: The People Fueling the Digital Consumer Electronics Revolution." The day will begin with a presentation by Harvard Engineering Professor Woodward Yang.

"EE Times Great Minds, Great Ideas is a unique program as it focuses on the ground-breaking ideas fueling the growth of the consumer electronics industry. It will be a compelling draw for all CES attendees," said Karen Chupka, vice president of conferences and events for CEA, the producer of the International CES. "We are excited to have this EE Times program join the other exciting 'can't miss' emerging technology exhibits and events taking place at CES at the Sands."

"Visionary ideas and new innovations are leading the future of the consumer electronics industry and the 2006 International CES is the perfect place to unveil them," said Paul Miller, CMP Media Electronics Group vice president and group publisher. "The EE Times Great Minds, Great Ideas Zone at CES will help illustrate how the innovations of electronics engineers today are impacting the growth and future direction of the consumer electronics industry."

The EE Times Great Minds, Great Ideas Zone joins 13 other emerging technology-focused high-profile displays at the Innovations Plus at the Sands. These TechZones showcase the future of consumer electronics across a range of hot categories, including Bluetooth, Cardio Play Zone, Consumer VoIP, Digital Living Network Alliance, IPTV, Launch, Portable Audio, Portable Power, Robotics, Studio@Home, Wireless USB, Wired USB and ZigBee Alliance. Other Innovations Plus at the Sands features include the International CES Innovations 2006 Design and Engineering Awards Showcase, Industry Insider conference sessions and a digital imaging event, Flash Forward 3.0, on Friday, January 6.

To ensure that all attendees have the opportunity to experience Innovations Plus at the Sands, the show floor will open an hour earlier than other CES venues at 8 a.m. throughout the show.

For more information on the individual TechZones, including participating exhibitors and product categories, please visit www.CESweb.org/techzones.

For more news on CES before, during and after the show, visit www.CESweb.org, the interactive source for CES information.

Note to Journalists: Press and analyst registration is available at CESweb.org. Detailed press conference information will be available later this year. Journalists are encouraged to arrive in Las Vegas by Tuesday, January 3, 2006 to take advantage of all the CES press conferences and events, including CES Unveiled at 4 p.m. on January 3 in the Bellini Ballroom of Innovations Plus at the Sands.