The Conference

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Digital Downtown Preliminary Conference Program
(schedule is subject to change) Last updated 6/17/10

DAY ONE – JUNE 22, 2010

8 am: Registration Opens
9 am: Conferences Open

9 am – 9:15 am: Welcome Address
Natali Del Conte, CEA Line Shows Conference Chair [@natalidelconte]

9:15 am – 9:45 am: CEA’s Mid-Year Reality Check

Join CEA’s top economist as he provides a mid-year reality check on how January predictions are faring and how the second half of the year is shaping up. What surprises or changes are in store for the CE industry? Are CE industry sales on track with earlier estimations? These questions and more will be addressed at this timely and important session that can shape your 2010 coverage and analysis.

Presented by: Shawn Dubravac, Chief Economist, Director of Research, Consumer Electronics Association [@Twoopinions]

9:45 am – 10:15 am: The Soul of a Green Machine

Green needs to be more than just a buzzword when it comes to consumer technology. So why are there so many confusing standards (but no real official standard) when it comes to claiming that a gadget or product is green? Join Journalists, manufacturers, and standards representatives as they discuss regulating and demystifying the green technology trend.

Moderator: Martin LaMonica, Senior Writer, CNET News [@mlamonica ]
Panelists: Jill Fehrenbacher, Publisher, Inhabitat [@jillFehr];
Seth Frader-Thompson, CEO, EnergyHub [@fraderT];
Sarah O’Brien, Green Electronics Council

10 am: CEA Line Shows Exhibit Floor Opens

10:30- 11:00 am: Press Conference – Monster Cable

11 – 11:30 am: Entertainment Gadget Briefing
Host: Chris Morris, Technology and Gaming Blogger, Variety and CNBC
(Intel Media Briefing Room)

11:30 am – 12:15 pm: Keynote Address: Jared Cohen, Secretary of State Policy and Planning Staff, US State Department [@jaredcohen]

Jared Cohen is a member of the Secretary of State’s Policy Planning Staff, where he has served since September 2006. Initially brought in by Condoleezza Rice as the youngest member in history, he was kept on to serve on Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s Policy Planning Staff. In this capacity, he focuses on counter-terrorism, counter-radicalization, Middle East, technology and innovation, public diplomacy and strategic communications, and youth issues. In this capacity, he also chairs the Policy Planning Staff’s working group focused on 21st century statecraft.

Jared Cohen will be speaking on topics related to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s commitment to a free and open internet.

12:15 pm – 2 pm: Networking Lunch

12:30 pm – 1:30pm Brown Bag Chats with Natali: Ed Baig, USA Today [@edbaig]
How do you get your products into the hands of a mainstream technology reporter? And how do those in the know know what is worthy?
In this informal chat, CEA Chair Natali Del Conte will sit down with USA Today’s Ed Baig to discuss the business of translating technology to the masses and if there really is such a thing as “the masses” in the days of customizable gadgets and gear.

12:30 – 1 pm: Monster Session
(Intel Media Briefing Room)

1:15 – 1:45 pm: Picking the Perfect PC with Intel and BestBuy
(Intel Media Briefing Room)

2 pm – 2:30 pm: IPTV: This Program Brought To You by The Internet

Online TV has come a long way from the days when YouTube was the best thing since sliced bread. Now you can buy streaming movies as easily as you can buy groceries, but the delivery models are so different. Do we want to download on our mobile devices or stream? Do we want full episodes or clips? Dow we want to subscribe to premium cable providers or can we just put together everything we want using spit and glue from the internet? How will the dust finally settle? Join content providers and experts to sort it all out.

Moderator: Lance Ulanoff, Editor in Chief, PC Mag.com [@LanceUlanoff]
Panelists: Joe Ambeault, Director, Product Development and Management – Video Services, Verizon [@joeambeault];
Jim Funk, VP of Business Development, Roku;
Olivier Manuel, Director of Content, Samsung Electronics America;
Ross Rubin, Executive Director, The NPD Group [@rossrubin]

2 – 2:30 pm: Seniors Gadget Briefing
Host: Natali Del Conte, CEA Line Shows Conference Chair [@natalidelconte]
(Intel Media Briefing Room)

2:45 pm – 3:30 pm: Press Conference – Vizio

3 – 3:30 pm: Seasonal Gadget Briefing
Host: Andrea Smith, Technology Producer, ABC News
(Intel Media Briefing Room)

4 pm – 4:30 pm: Smartphone vs. Smartbook vs. Netbook vs. Notebook

What in the world is the difference between all of these gadget naming classifications? And does it even matter? Of course we are going mobile but why do we need to classify so many different types of mobile devices? Will the new generation of tablets change this confused and cluttered category?

Moderator: Ross Rubin, Executive Director, The NPD Group [@rossrubin]
Panelists: Jeanniey Mullen, Global EVP and CMO, Zinio [@empg];
Sascha Segan , PC Magazine;
Mark Spoonauer, Editor-in-Chief, LAPTOP;
Joanna Stern , Editor, Engadget

4:30 pm – 5 pm: Beyond the Geeks: Gadgets for Every Demographic

Gadgets are not just for pubescent or pubescent-minded boys. Now they are ideal for moms, grandparents, kids, and even the family pet. Join technology and non-technology reporters and producers as they talk about the gadgets and gear that the non-geeks among us get really excited about.

Moderator: Andrea Smith, Technology Producer, ABC News [@abcandrea]
Panelists: Stacy Genovese, Editor, Good HouseKeeping;
Jeremy Kaplan, Science and Technology Editor, FoxNews.com [@fxnscitech]
Elise Loehnen, Editor at Large of Lucky Magazine [@eloehnen]

5 pm – 6:30 pm: Cocktail Reception

Hosted by: Women in CE
Sponsors: BlueAnt Wireless, Chief, CTPG, HP, Monster, Sirius XM Radio, Skype, Sony, Stoli, Tiffen, Toshiba, Vizio

DAY TWO – JUNE 23, 2010

7:30 am: Registration Opens
8:30 am: Conferences Open

8:30 am – 8:35 am: Welcome Address
Natali Del Conte, CEA Line Shows Conference Chair

8:35 am – 9:15 am: iBreakfast: eReading the Tea Leaves

eReaders seem to be the new black. They go with everything.. or do they? Why is this market exploding so quickly and what sets the ‘good ones’ from apart from the “duds”? Will eReaders remain single-function devices or will they merge into our mobile devices the way the PDA and the camera have? Join experts and analysts to discuss this exploding sector of personal electronics.

Hosted by: Andy Weissberg, Managing Partner, Digital Publishing Partners
Panelists: Ana Maria Allessi, Publisher, HarperMedia, HarperCollins Publishers;
Anthony Antolino, Senior VP, DMC;
Mike Shatzkin, Founder, Idealog.com;
David Steinberger, CEO, comiXology

9:15 am – 9:45 am: What’s in Store: Trends in CE and Technology Retailing

How does a traditional, brick-and-mortar CE retailer compete in today’s world of slash-and-burn Internet pricing; cut-throat competition, sometimes from their own vendor “partners;” and ever-changing technology? Our panel of top retailers and industry experts will tell you how they’ve successfully developed new strategies, adopted new tools and essentially spilled their blood to create successful e-commerce businesses that have pumped new life into their old brick-and-mortar models. You can also expect a few surprises from this high-energy session.
Moderator: Natali Del Conte, CEA Line Shows Chair [@natalidelconte]
Panelists: Bob Cole, World Wide Stereo;
Albert Liniado, President, DataVision Computer Video
Robert Perry, Industry Veteran;
Jamie Sasser, Director Business Development, Netsertive
Rich Yanitelli, Electronic Expo;

9:45 am – 10:15 am: Game Changing Gadgets

What are the gadgets that stand out in 2010? How different are they from the gadgets that turned our heads last year? Learn what top technology reporters and analysts think of this year’s game changers and why.

Moderator: Clayton Morris, Host of Fox & Friends, Author, Social Media Expert, Fox News [@claytonmorris]
Panelists: Sean Captain, Consumer Strategist Media, Entertainment & Technology, Iconoculture, Inc.;
Peter Rojas, Founder, gdgt.com [@peterrojas]
Joshua Topolsky, Editor-in-Chief, Engadget [@joshuatopolsky]

10 am: CEA Line Shows Exhibit Floor Opens

10:15 am – 11 am: Press Conference – Panamax Furman

The Future of Energy in A/V & BlueBOLT Tech Demo
Panamax/Furman president Bill Pollock will discuss the future of energy delivery and how it will affect our lifestyles and electronics. From the smart grid and smart meters to new dynamic pricing structures from energy utilities, consumers will be more aware of their energy usage. The presentation will conclude with a tech demo of Panamax/Furman’s BlueBOLT™ power and energy management as well as a look at future plans for the platform.

10:15 am – 10:45 am: Back-to-School Gadget Briefing
Host: Natali Del Conte, Conference Chair, CEA Line Shows
(Intel Media Briefing Room)

10:45 am – 11:15 am: Kids and Moms Gadget Briefing
Host: Beth Bleacherman, Founder, Techmamas.com
(Intel Media Briefing Room)

11:15 am – 11:45 am: Social Networks: Harnessing the Power of Me

Why does so much business and technology happen within the confines of our social networks? What are the psychosocial principles at work that make us share and share alike? Do we have to be someone to share at all? And how we cut through all the noise in order to move the needle in our personal and professional lives?

Moderator: Ella Morton, Host, RocketBoom [@ellamorton]
Panelists: Nick Douglas, Author, TwitterWit [@nick];
Alice Marwick, PhD Candidate, New York University;
Deanna Zandt, Author, Share This: How You Will Change The World With Social Networking

11:45 am – 12:30 pm: Keynote Address: Jonathan Christensen, General Manager and Head of Platform, Skype

Our connected future and the rise of real-time video
The internet is rapidly moving beyond the desktop experience to a wide array of new connected devices — from tablets and smartphones to TVs, digital cameras and gaming consoles. Online companies like Netflix, Facebook and Twitter have harnessed this trend, extending their services to new platforms, and companies like Apple are enabling new consumer mobile experiences through innovative applications, including mobile video chat. In his keynote address, Jonathan Christensen, general manager of platform for Skype, will discuss Skype’s perspective on our connected future and the rise of real-time video communications. Attendees will also learn about how Skype plans to unleash a whole new level of innovation to further enhance our connected future with voice and video communications.

12:30 pm – 2:00 pm: Networking Lunch

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm: NY Tech Start-up Classic

The most creative digital innovations from the New York Tech Meet-up will be put to the test as entrepreneurs and their companies compete to become the big winner at the “NY Tech Start-Up Classic”. Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), Digital Downtown and NY Tech Meetup will be hosting the ”NY Tech Start-Up Classic” contest in front of hundreds of leading trade, business, and financial press, the investment community and prominent industry leaders attending the Digital Downtown Conference Program and CEA Line Shows. The “NY Tech Start-Up Classic” will feature product demonstrations and presentations of the most dynamic, cutting-edge technology emerging in the marketplace. The top prize for the winning product will be a booth at the 2011 International CES in Las Vegas.

Host: Nate Westheimer, NY Tech Meet-Up, anyclip.com [@innonate]
Judges: Thatcher Bell, Principle, DFJ Gotham [@thatcherbell];
Dan Frommer, Silicon Alley Insider [@fromedome];
Jeffrey A. Stewart, Founder, Mimeo [@JeffreyAStewart]

2:00 pm – 2:30 pm: The OS vs The Browser

These days it seems as though the browser IS the operating system. So what will become of the operating system? Is it still useful to think of the operating system as the ecosystem of computing anymore? Join representatives from the top browsers to discuss their plans to house your digital world from here on out.

Moderator: Lance Whitney, CNET News [@lancewhit]
Panelists: Chris Blizzard, Web Product Manager Mozilla;
Mike Jazayeri, Group Product Manager – Google Chrome, Google;
Christen Krogh, Chief Development Officer, Opera;

2 – 2:30 pm: Picking the Perfect PC with Intel and BestBuy
(Intel Media Briefing Room)

2:30 pm – 3:00 pm: Show Me The Money: Where is the ROI in Consumer Electronics These Days?

Where is the money trail in consumer electronics today? From micropayments to freemium models, it is hard to know what the best business model is for making your device or application move the needle from red to green. Join analysts and experts to figure out how to show yourself the money.

Moderator: Jason Hiner, Editor in Chief, TechRepublic [@jasonhiner]
Panelists: Avner Ronen, Founder, Boxee [@avneron];
Jim Funk, Vice President Development, Roku;
Jeremy Toeman, Founding Partner, Stage Two Consulting

3 – 3:45 pm: Travel Gadget Briefing
Hosts: David Gregg, Co-Founder, BehindTheBuy.com;
John Kelley, Founder, BehindTheBuy.com
(Intel Media Briefing Room)

3:45 – 4:15 pm: Digital Health Gadget Briefing
Host: Matt Bean, Brand Editor, Men’s and Women’s Health
(Intel Media Briefing Room)

3:00 pm – 5:30 pm: 3D Summit

Produced by: 3D@Home Consortium

3D display products paired with some fantastic 3D content-and the promise of more-are hitting the market, and the ecosystem is working hard to ensure they work together and will deliver a high quality experience to the home entertainment environment. This 3D Summit will take a look a the entire eco-system, providing the big 3D picture and addressing the gamut of steps and technologies that will ensure satisfied consumers, creatives, distributors, broadcasters and products for an overall *pristine* experience.

3 – 3:15 pm: Laying out the Eco-System

The evolving 3D production and playback chain is vast. It spans filmmakers, broadcast trucks, standards bodies, mastering houses, CE manufactures and, of course the consumer living room. Rick will define the 3D eco-systems and highlight the successes and challenges of today’s 3DTV rollout.
Presenter: Rick Dean, Strategic Development of New Technologies, THX & Chairman, 3D@Home Consortium

3:15 – 3:30 pm: 3D Market and the Consumer Experience

How many? When? The future-proofing and overall consumer feedback. Chris evaluates the consumer experience and answers common concerns for first generation 3DTV buyers.
Presenter: Chris Chinnock, President, Insight Media

3:30 – 3:45 pm: Behind the scenes – Post production

Authoring, mastering, editing, and the human experience for 3D movies in the home. Paulette is at the forefront of developing systems to help filmmakers understand the 3D experience..
Presenter: Paulette Pantoja, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, BluFocus

3:45 – 4 pm: Distribution of 3D Content

Which networks, satellite and cable companies are sending 3D signals and does it change their business models? Chris explores considerations for the providers, their networks and the impact of 3D programming.
Presenter: Chris Lennon, Sr. Technology Advisor, Harris Corp.

4 pm – 4:15 pm: Glasses

User comfort and acceptance of 3D glasses. Why is everyone willing to wear them?
Presenters: David Chechelashvili, Head of Gaming and Retail, XpanD;
Ami Dror, Chief Marketing Officer, XpanD

4:15 – 4:30 pm: 2D to 3D Conversion – does it have a role?

Cost effectiveness and other considerations for re-creating and converting the 2D library for the 3DTV. Simon explores the considerations for manual, automatic and semi-automatic conversion of live and recorded 3D material.
Presenter: Simon Tidnam, Vice President Sales & Marketing, HDlogix

4:30 pm – 5:30 pm: 3D Panel

Now that 3D films have won over movie studios and movie-going audiences, the third dimension prepares to conquer the next frontier: the living room. But with electronics manufacturers, content providers, and cable and satellite companies all wagering on the technology’s success, the question begs itself: is 3D television an industry savior… or a mere gimmick? Representatives from the manufacturing, content, and broadcast sides of the industry, sound off as they look forward to what a future of 3D movies, games, shows, and sports means for their business and for consumers.
Moderator: Seth Porges, Writer/Editor, Popular Mechanics Magazine [@sethporges]
Panelists: John Batter, Co-President of Production for DreamWorks Animation;
Terry Denson, Vice President-Programming and Marketing, Verizon FiOS TV;
Dan Schinasi, Senior Marketing Manager of HDTV Product Planning/Visual Display Product Group, Samsung;
Alec Shapiro, SVP, Sony Broadcast and Production Systems — in charge of professional 3Dl broadcast production

Online registration is now closed. You can easily register on-site.

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Testimonial

“CEA Line Shows is a critical event for my teams at Engadget, Switched, TUAW, and Download Squad. In a tech editorial environment that is increasingly (and understandably) remote and mobile, in-person shows like these are a welcome rarity. Not only do they get my guys and girls out of their home offices, but they have also created innumerable hands-on and breaking stories chock-full of the video and images our readers have come to love and expect. The smaller size of CEA Line Shows means that my journalists can get their job done in a consumable environment as compared to the multi-day, exhausting conferences. Both have their place, but I am for one forever a fan of the smaller CEA Line Shows.”

— Joshua Fruhlinger, Editorial Director, AOL Tech.

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