Bill Gates to Present Keynote Address at the 2006 CES

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) has announced that top Microsoft and Intel executives will deliver keynote addresses at the 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Bill Gates, chairman and chief software architect of Microsoft Corp., will return to deliver the highly anticipated pre-show keynote address on Wednesday, January 4, 2006, at 6:30 p.m. Paul Otellini, chief executive officer (CEO) of Intel Corp., will deliver his keynote address on Thursday, January 5, 2005 at 4:30 p.m. Both keynotes will take place in the Hilton Theater of the Las Vegas Hilton.

"As the world's largest consumer technology tradeshow, the International CES prides itself on bringing the most influential and notable industry visionaries to our conference program," said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of CEA.

"Gates and Otellini lead two of the most significant technology companies in the world and each plays a pivotal role in creating new technologies that define the marketplace and help consumers stay connected, entertained and informed 24/7."

Under Gates' leadership, Microsoft's mission has been to continually advance and improve software technology, and to make it easier, more cost-effective and more enjoyable for people to use computers. Building on the popularity of its Windows operating system and Office productivity suite, Microsoft focuses on developing technology for the next-generation Internet and on connected devices that meet consumer demands at work, at home and on the move - such as the Media Center PC, Windows Mobile software for Pocket PCs, Smartphones and Portable Media Centers and the MSN network.

In the past, Gates has used the International CES to preview products and technologies such as Xbox, Tablet PC, smart personal object technology (SPOT) watches and Smartphone.

For more than 35 years, Intel technology has enabled the computer and Internet revolution that has helped change the world. Founded to build semiconductor memory products, Intel introduced the world's first microprocessor in 1971. Today, Intel has evolved to become the world's largest chip maker, supplying platform-based solutions to meet the unique enterprise, mobile and digital home requirements of customers worldwide.

A 31-year Intel veteran, Otellini became CEO in May after serving as the president and chief operating officer since 2002.

The 2006 International CES focuses on more than 30 product areas from more than 2,500 exhibitors spread throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center, the Sands Expo and Convention Center, the Las Vegas Hilton and the Alexis Park. For more news on CES before, during and after the show, visit www.CESweb.org, the interactive source for CES information. The 2006 International CES runs January 5-8.