Detroit Rides Again at the NAIAS

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Parent Category: Expos and Conventions

Category: Previews

Published on Tuesday, 12 January 2010 09:14

Written by FFTrav Staff

Glitzy cars and concepts, technology of the future, thousands of journalists and top governmental officials are only the front fender to the vehicle that is going to motor the world's economy during The North American International Auto Show 2010 (NAIAS) being held at Cobo Center, Detroit, Michigan, from January 11-24, 2010.

Visitors can experience the next generation of transportation with more than 700 vehicles on display, representing the most innovative designs in the world in North America's largest and most prestigious automotive showcase. A series of symposiums will be held featuring a look at the past, present and future of technologies designed to move the industry and a global economy forward.

Exhibits and features of emerging technology trends include:

Electric Avenue, a 37,000 square-foot area, presented by The Dow Chemical Company, dedicated to showcasing the latest in electric vehicles and technology by both traditional automakers and innovative entrepreneurs. The all-new exhibit area will feature nearly 20 vehicles, as well as symposiums and special events on the adjacent NAIAS stage.

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) returns with The MEDC EcoXperience, which features a quarter-mile indoor ride-and-drive test track surrounded by landscaped and forested terrain. Attendees can take a ride in a variety of electric vehicles provided by various manufacturers, including avant-garde electric vehicle inventions.

MEDC is also introducing a dynamic, new exhibit, the MEDC Alternative Energy Showcase, which features ten of the most innovative alternative energy component suppliers displaying the latest battery and related technologies. Companies participating include A123 Systems, Johnson Controls-Saft, Dow-Kokam, DTE Energy and Sakti3.

Other participants include some of the nation's leading universities, such as Michigan Technological University and the University of Michigan as well as TARDEC, the nation's research lab for military energy initiatives. Department of Energy and MEDC funding for research and development activities have produced significant progress in the vital and expanding electric battery field.

Further highlights:

North American Car of the Year and North American Truck of the Year Awards – The 17th annual awards program recognizes vehicles that have become benchmarks in their respective segments. This year’s winners are the Ford Fusion hybrid and Ford Transit Connect, for top car and top truck of the year respectively.

14th Annual Urban Wheels Awards – the Urban Car, Truck and Green Vehicles selected by a panel of 15 independent auto journalists. Recognizing a commitment to minority supplier contracts in the auto industry stimulus, lifetime achievement and pioneer awards will be presented.

Attendees will also have an opportunity to celebrate the launch of DECISIVE Multimedia, the multicultural, multimedia platform that will transform the way consumers make decisions regarding new products and services.

The Gallery will provide luxury vehicle enthusiasts an opportunity to see elite vehicles in a private setting, at the MGM Grand Detroit. This is a rare opportunity to see high-end luxury vehicles showcased under one roof, which include Rolls-Royce, Ferrari, Bentley, Lamborghini, Spyker, and Aston Martin.

Charity Preview – Proceeds directly benefit a wide range of children's charities, which support services for children of all ages from birth to 18.  Since 1989, the Charity Preview has raised more than $79 million for southeastern Michigan children's charities - over $35 million of which was raised in the last six years alone.

Symposiums include:

TARDEC presents Driving Solutions - Commercial & Military

The Henry Ford presents Electric Cars - Past & Future

Center for Automotive Research presents Vehicle Electrification - From Oil to the Grid

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow and Congressman Gary Peters present The Advanced Vehicle Technology Act of 2009 - Expanding Public / Private Opportunities

Other panels include:

Green Vehicles & China’s Automobile Market

Detroit Economic Club –The Big Four at a Crossroad: What’s ahead for the Metro Detroit region in 2010?

AutoWeek Design Forum – the event recognizes and celebrates design as the ultimate differentiating factor that drives consumers’ interest and purchase decisions.

NAIAS Automotive Education Day – Students in grades 9-12 and college level have the unique opportunity to explore automotive career paths and learn about trends in the auto industry.

For more information, visit www.naias.com.

North American International Auto Show 2010
January 11-24, 2010
Cobo Center
One Washington Boulevard
Detroit, Michigan

 

Best Foot Forward at Hong Kong Fashion Week

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Parent Category: Expos and Conventions

Category: Previews

Published on Sunday, 10 January 2010 02:23

Written by Lynne Shannon

The 8th edition of HKTDC World Boutique Hong Kong, concurrently with Asia's largest fashion event, the 41st edition of HKTDC Hong Kong Fashion Week for Fall/Winter, is being held January 18th through 21st, 2010, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. World Boutique Hong Kong will display clothing, accessories and lifestyle products from around the globe.

At the 2009 event, over 450 brands brought their latest collections to World Boutique Hong Kong with the highest number of exhibitors recorded.

Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the fairs have a worldwide reputation for showcasing the newest collections, looks and products in the industry.

Established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and service providers. With more than 40 offices worldwide, including 11 in the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and Asia. The HKTDC also organizes trade fairs and business missions to connect companies with opportunities in Hong Kong and the mainland, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and online.

This year’s fashion diva is the exciting Vivienne Westwood, with a runway show of her label's latest collection. Four clothing ranges will be presented, as well as handbags, jewelry, footwear and eyewear, as well as a seminar. Also on hand will be the Creative Director of Vivienne Westwood, Andreas Kronthaler, Dame Westwood's husband, who is also a VIP judge for the Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers' Contest.

MANGO, the Spanish fashion export brand, will join World Boutique Hong Kong for the first time. Having opened its first store in Barcelona, MANGO was one of the first western fashion brands to enter the Chinese mainland market. Last year, corporate flagship stores were introduced in first-tier cities such as Beijing and Shanghai. At an exclusive seminar, Isak Halfon, MANGO's Board Member and Executive Vice President of International Expansion, will share the brand's success story and their business horizons in Asia.

Fashion Week features a series of topical seminars, including Trends Forum, a display of the four main influential elements of 2011-2012 Fall/Winter fashion by the world's leading style agency, Promostyl.

The exclusive Hong Kong Fashion Extravaganza, featuring world-renowned fashion designers, will cement Hong Kong's role as Asia's lifestyle trendsetting hub. 

Two of the designers present at World Boutique Hong Kong are also guest speakers:

Guo Pei is among the Chinese mainland's first generation of fashion designers and also the first haute couture fashion designer. She produces custom-made dresses for celebrities and prestigious guests, including the gown worn by Zhang Zi-yi for the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony. She also founded the Rose Studio, a pioneer in haute couture in the Chinese mainland.

Frankie Xie, founder of brand JEFEN, was the first Chinese fashion designer to participate in Paris Fashion Week. Xie emphasizes "Oriental design language" derived from his understanding of global cultural context.

Other designers are Dorian Ho, Toshikazu Iwaya, Fontani, Lacompel Di Landi Andrea, Moda Immagine, Moiselle and Rabeanco.

Also making their debut at the 2010 World Boutique Hong Kong is The Underground Quarter by Londonedge, which will introduce an innovative group of British, European and US exhibitors on the cutting edge of fashion in Alternative, street, rock and cult merchandise. The Underground Quarter 2010 is expected to be the first group exhibition of alternative fashion in Hong Kong.

World Boutique Hong Kong continues to receive support from the Taiwan Textile Federation, which will again have a pavilion. The Hong Kong Fashion Designers Association (HKFDA) is also having its largest participation ever, showcasing the works of 18 local designers, highlighted with their fashion show on January 21.

House shows featuring over 25 brands and designers and trend seminars by leading international trend agencies will turn the four fair days into a kaleidoscope of fashion ideas. Fashion World Talents Awards (FWTA) will also stage its semi-final competition on January 21.

For more information, visit  www.hktdc.com
http://hktdc.com/worldboutiquehk
http:/hktdc.com/hkfashionweekfw

HKTDC World Boutique Hong Kong and Hong Kong Fashion Week for Fall/Winter
January 18-21, 2010

Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
1 Expo Drive, Hong Kong Island
+852 2582 8888

2010 International CES

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Parent Category: Expos and Conventions

Category: Previews

Published on Saturday, 09 January 2010 17:44

Written by Lynne Shannon

Owned and produced by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)®, The 2010 International CES, the world's largest consumer technology tradeshow, returns to Las Vegas, January 7-10, 2010 at the Las Vegas Convention Center/Hilton and The Venetian, the largest consumer technology tradeshow's venues.
 
A record number – more than 330 new companies – will join more than 2,500 exhibitors in unveiling their latest technology innovations and more than 20,000 new products on display.

CE Spotlights throughout the CES show floor will feature key market categories including apps, green technology, gaming, location based services and more. These include:

iLounge Pavilion, featuring all things iPod®, iPhone® and Mac® related;

Living in Digital Times, highlighting technology relevant to all lifestyles;

EHX@CES with custom CE products for home and commercial installation;

Sustainable Planet, featuring the latest green technologies including advances in green building, alternative energy technologies and smart grid technologies;

Gaming Showcase with the latest gaming hardware and software.

The 2010 CES will feature 20 market-specific TechZones highlighting the latest trends and emerging markets. New CES TechZones include the eBooks, Experience 3D, Femto, Lifestyle Gadgets, Mobile DTV, Netbooks and Safe Driver TechZones.

Top executives of the biggest names in technology and business will take the stage at the 2010 International CES with keynote addresses:

Microsoft’s Steve Ballmer
Ford’s Alan Mulally
Intel’s Paul Otellini
Qualcomm’s Dr. Paul Jacobs
Nokia’s Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo
Hisense’s Zhou Houjian

Additionally, the 2010 CES will feature more than 250 sessions and 800 expert speakers as part of the CES conference program, which will cover a range of industry topics from social media to safe driving to technology policy. These include:

SuperSessions, among them:

Next Big Thing SuperSession: I Want My IPTV
Whether we’re streaming video to our smart phones or anticipating Net-connected televisions, the promise of an on-demand world is upon us. The model for video delivery is fundamentally changing, driving consumers to want free content any time, to any device. So, what’s the holdup? In this year’s session, CNET will gather industry leaders to find out.

Drivers, Consumer Electronics, and Highway Safety: How Can Technology Help?
Growing public attention is being paid to the relationship between safe driving and in-vehicle electronics. Come hear about innovative companies and technologies that empower drivers to use their in-vehicle electronics in a safe and responsible way. Moderator: Cecilia Kang, Staff Writer, The Washington Post

Last Gadget Standing
A perennial attendee favorite, Last Gadget Standing challenges contenders to give the product demo of their lives. At stake: bragging rights as the product "most likely to change the face of technology." See all the winners strut their stuff in this inventive, fast-paced competition.

Other sessions:

Up Next at CES: Creativity, Content and Cash, focused on addressing the major challenge of how to monetize new media.

Tech Policy Summit, which will discuss critical policy issues including broadband deployment and spectrum allocation.

Bringing the Smart Grid to the Smart Home

One of the Top Trends announced:

2010 CES Marks the Year of the App
According to CEA Research Director and Economist Shawn DuBravac, “Apps came on in a very big way in 2009, but the momentum is just beginning. From Facebook to the iPhone, the app is emerging as a key venue for accessing content in an easy and intuitive way.” 

This is shown with the Mobile Apps Showdown. From the same folks who bring you the Last Gadget Standing, Mobile Apps Showdown will feature the top 10 apps in five categories (Education, Lifestyle, Entertainment, Productivity and IT), chosen by Robin Raskin and the editors and readers of NetShelter.net.
 
The top 10 apps will be finalists in a live demo competition in front of a live and online CES audience, and a winner will be declared based on audience applause o-meter and online vote.

Renowned musicians, athletes and familiar faces of the small- and big-screen come together at the International CES to experience, promote and cover the hottest products and technologies in the consumer electronics industry.  Some attendees are:

Lady Gaga
Drew Carey, host of The Price is Right
Illeana Douglas, creator and star of Easy to Assemble
Stan Lee, comic book writer, former president/chairman of Marvel Comics
Tommy Lee, musician
Pauley Perrette, forensic tech wizard “Abby” on TV’s NCIS
NBA legend James Worthy
Jill Zarin, star on The Real Housewives of New York City

About CEA:
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the $172 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 sponsors and manages the International CES – Where Entertainment, Technology and Business Converge. All profits from CES are reinvested into CEA’s industry services.  Find CEA online at www.CE.org.

For more news, visit CESweb.org.
and www.CE.org.

2010 International CES
Las Vegas Convention Center/Hilton and The Venetian
January 7-10, 2010