Tech leaders to keynote CES

ARLINGTON, Va. The Consumer Electronics Association has announced that Bill Gates, chairman of Microsoft Corp.; Toshihiro Sakamoto, president of Panasonic AVC Networks Co.; and Paul Otellini, ceo of Intel Corp., will deliver keynote addresses at the 2008 International CES. Produced by CEA, the 2008 International CES is the world’s largest tradeshow for consumer technology and returns to Las Vegas, Nev., Jan. 7-10, 2008.

Under Gates’ leadership, Microsoft has continually advanced and improved software technology. With the full attention of the consumer technology world, Gates has previously used the International CES to preview products and technology on the horizon for consumers. Microsoft’s previous product debuts at CES include consumer technologies and services such as the Xbox, Tablet PC, eBook, Microsoft TV and Windows Vista.

Toshihiro Sakamoto is president of Panasonic AVC Networks Co., the consumer electronics and PC manufacturing arm of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Sakamoto has been responsible for creating and driving the company’s digital consumer electronics device strategies for flat panel displays and other high-definition networkable products. A seasoned global manager, his career includes two years as president of Taiwan Matsushita Electric and three assignments to Panasonic companies in the U.S. which totaled 14 years.

Paul Otellini became ceo of Intel Corp. in 2005, after serving as the president and coo for three years. Otellini, who joined Intel in 1974, previously held senior management positions where he managed all Intel microprocessor product divisions as well as the company’s global sales and marketing operations. Otellini was responsible for driving Intel’s shift from focusing solely on producing fast microprocessors, commonly known as the PC’s “brain,” to combining high-performance, energy-efficient microprocessors with additional integrated technologies -- that are changing how people use computers, electronics and devices to learn, live, work and communicate.