I’m not going to the 2008 International Consumer Electronics Show, but that hasn’t kept me from being inundated with press releases and phone calls about it for the past three months. “The world’s largest consumer technology tradeshow,” which opens Saturday afternoon in Las Vegas with press previews before opening to the public on Monday, draws thousands of people to see the many new and upcoming electronic products on display at three sprawling venues.

There are more than 2,700 exhibitors at CES, and not everyone is a huge, recognizable name like Microsoft, Panasonic or Sony. So their flacks often come up with ways to draw media coverage, whether it’s free food and drink, giveaways or other enticements. Sometimes, a quirky product is all they need. Here are some of the things I’ve been pitched:

* Winplus makes cheap Bluetooth-enabled gear. If I stop by its “Yada car” each day and am the first person to answer a “Seinfeld” trivia question, I will win “a free Yada all-in-one Bluetooth headset, car charger and phone holder.”  Amazon sells those things for $50 each. You’d think Winplus would give one away every five minutes and just write it off as a promotional cost.

* Liquid Image will be demonstrating its Digital Underwater Camera Mask. What’s the over/under on how long it will be before you see some TV journalist wearing one of these during a broadcast from the showroom floor?

* I can “be a VIP” at the invitation-only (I have a feeling that the list of invitees is as long as the number of media registered for CES) launch of Vestalife’s Ladybug iPod docking thingie. If I miss the launch, I can schmooze with the ladybugs at Vestalife’s daily cocktail hour after the show. (You just know that there must be journalists who do nothing but “cover” the cocktail-hour circuit.)

* I can RSVP (only) to see what Qualcomm has to show “BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.” The event is being held in the Opium Room at Tao Night Club in the Venetian Hotel. Maybe I should send some undercover DEA agents in my place.

* JVC is serving breakfast before its press conference. After my horrible experience with my first DVD player, a JVC model, the company would have to offer a lot more than that.

* Spykee is introducing its new line of Bluetooth- and voice-activated robots that can be controlled remotely  “from anywhere in the world.” Now there’s a reason not to go to CES.

We interrupt this PR recap to note that speaker maker KEF has aquired six adjoining hospitality suites “in order to create a laid-back atmosphere that will be a welcomed relief from the hustle-and-bustle of the showroom floor.” KEF promises “an unforgettable” experience. Now back to the flack matter.

* Among the “top 5 reasons” that La Crosse Technology gives for checking out its new weather system, introduced by WCCO meteorologist Paul Douglas, is No. 4: “Breakfast will be served.” Never underestimate the power of free food in attracting media coverage, especially first thing in the morning.

* Audio-Technica will be showcasing its new QuietPoint noise-canceling headphones. If you check them out during selected hours, you can get a free massage from a therapist while you listen. (Note to self: Distrust any media raves about Audio-Technica’s new QuietPoint headphones.) 

* In its “media alert” about its CES product launches, LCD display maker HANNspree notes in large letters that “LUNCH WILL BE SERVED.” And, oh, yeah, we have LCD monitors.

Sorry, that’s all I can take for now. The above is drawn from the nearly 100 press releases and phone calls I’ve received just since Friday — over a holiday weekend! A quick search of the CES email filter I set up to handle the hundreds of emailed press releases I’ve received shows that nearly 60 have promised some kind of breakfast, lunch, cocktail hour, reception or other way to get free food and drink. I clearly erred in listing projected meal expenses in my trip proposal.

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 3rd, 2008 at 10:16 am and is filed under CES. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.