2011 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES)

The International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is the World’s Largest Consumer Electronics Tradeshow. It is produced by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). Approximately 20,000 new consumer technology products launch every year at CES. This year’s show will be Jan 6-9, 2011 in Las Vegas, NV, and looks to be every bit as exciting as it has in the past.

Early Blog reports and media rumors suggest some of the products featured this year may include the following products (unconfirmed):

• Motorola 10 inch Tablet
• 72 inch 3-D LCD TV by LG
• 4G Verizon Phone – HTC LTE
• Samsung Galaxy Player
• Verizon Iphone
• Asus 12-inch Windows 7 Tablet
• HP PalmPad Tablet
• Nintendo 3DS
• Dell Streak 7 Tablet

It’s always a guessing game on what surprise technology may get announced at CES each year and rumors never seem to end. Some of the products above have been confirmed but others are have not. The ‘Follow Me’ Smartphone app is also being deployed this year to help improve the CES experience.

A very brief history

The first CES took place in New York City back in June 1967 with 200 exhibitors and has grown 10 fold since then. Some of the products that have debuted at CES in the past include the Compact Disc Player, Plasma TV, Microsoft Xbox, Blu-Ray DVD, 3D HDTV and more. Representatives from over 130 countries typically travel to see the show. CES 2009 named North America’s greenest show by Trade Show Executive Magazine
Visit the online CES Exhibitor Directory to get the most current exhibitor information.

Need last minute Technology Rental Services in Las Vegas , call the local SmartSource Rentals office at 702.791.2500 and get it from the best – SmartSource Rentals.

Among the speakers at this year’s event

• Alan Mulally – Ford Motor Company President and CEO
• Cisco CEO John Chambers, GE Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Immelt and Xerox Chairman and CEO Ursula Burns in a keynote panel.
• Boo-Keun Yoon - Samsung President and General Manager of Visual Display Business
• Gary Shapiro - CEA President and CEO
• Ivan Seidenberg - Verizon CEO,
• Steve Ballmer - Microsoft CEO
• Rupert Stadler - AUDI AG Chairman of the Board of Management]

Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority

McCarran International Airport Las Vegas, NV

2011 International Consumer Electronics Show

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Cause for Celebration in Chicago

Chicago Born Illinois National Guard soldier Hector Nunez recently returned from Mexico with his wife and son after Congressman Luis Gutierrez intervened in an effort to secure a humanitarian visa for Nunez’s wife, Rosa. Nunez is a valued member of the SmartSource Rentals Chicago branch operation and is currently preparing to leave for Afghanistan. His return to Chicago with his wife and son is truly a cause for joy this holiday season.

On the advice of an attorney, Nunez’s wife Rosa, who came to the US when she was six years old, returned to Mexico a few months ago in an effort to obtain legal status. The couple has been married since 2005 and has a two year old son, Jason. Nunez states that his wife was deported after receiving poor legal advice. After arriving in Mexico, Rosa was told it would be close to 10 years before she would be able to return to Chicago. Friends and family enlisted the help of Congressman Luis Gutierrez to help in securing a one-year humanitarian visa.

On December 20, 2010, the Nunez family returned from Mexico to a welcomed homecoming at O’Hare’s Terminal 5.

Video and related info from WGN

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ING New York City Marathon

The ING New York City Marathon is a worldwide event that captivates viewers from every background and culture. The 2010 marathon was no exception. Once again, SmartSource Rentals was proud to be a part of ING New York City Marathon, providing complex AV and IT technology services and support.

Producing a successful event of this magnitude is no easy task, and the fact that it winds through all 5 boroughs of New York City makes it even more challenging. The New York Road Runners do a tremendous job making this event happen each year and SmartSource was more than happy to continue our twelve year involvement with the event. In addition to the marathon itself, there were a huge amount of related events before, during and after the race. Some of SmartSource’s best people have been involved in this over the years - providing critical information technologies, Audio Visual equipment and logistical services. SmartSource’s management at this year’s event was divided into two teams - one to oversee the AV portion and one oversee the IT components. Both teams drew from direct past experience working with the ING New York City marathon and brought a welcomed combination of professionalism, reliability and familiarity to the various aspects of the event.

The IT and logistics team worked closely with the Marathon’s technical and event planning team to implement a technology plan across multiple locations. Laptops, Copiers, interactive Kiosks, Monitors and Flat Screens were just some of the equipment involved in the strategic planning, communications and data management surrounding race operations. Logistics and strategic technology solutions were applied to all race locations, from the start line to the finish line, the Javits Center, Tavern on the Green and the media center. The 2010 ING New York City Marathon also marked the first year that Twitter played a role keeping runners and fans updated on the status using #nytrun.

As it is each year, the AV portion of the event was extremely complex. Multiple sound stages and custom entertainment stages with sound systems for live music were located along the race route. One pavilion tent alone included four trusses with 48 lights, 18 LED light cans for up lighting, a line array sound system of 12 speaker boxes, four projectors and two 10-1/2’ x 14’ screens and 18 plasma TV’s placed around the perimeter, lounge and courtyard. SmartSource also provided 13 custom build sound stages, 22 separate sounds systems at the starting point and a whole list of other AV services and gear. It is a big challenge to make sure an event that is broadcast all over the world to more than 315 million TV viewers runs smoothly, and our technicians know how to deliver.

Year after year SmartSource Rentals has delivered in helping meet this challenge and we look forward to working on it again in the future. The ING New York City Marathon gets over 100,000 applications each year and draws a number of world-class athletes at all levels. Over 700,000 past participants have taken part in this globally recognized event.

For full details on the complex AV and IT technology services and solutions provided at this year’s event, view the full 2010 ING New York Marathon Press Release from SmartSource. If your company or business needs assistance in planning a large scale event that requires complex technology solutions, give us a call at 800-888-8686 or visit us online at www.smartsourcerentals.com

Related links:
ING New York City Marathon website
New York Road Runners

Popularity: 2% [?]

SmartSource Expands to Houston

SmartSource adds another Texas location to its nationwide network of Computer and AV Rental branch locations as it announces the opening of a new office in Houston, TX (full press release)! In addition to existing offices in Dallas and College Station, the new Houston location will provide added service to existing customers as well as attract new business.

The new PC and AV Rental branch location is located at 5833B Westview Drive – only a few minutes from Houston’s major highways, airport and downtown area. Equally important, Houston is a city that is home base for a large amount of the world’s top companies, second only to New York in its number of Fortune 500 companies.

SmartSource Vice President Chad Frank states, “In addition to being home to many Fortune 500 companies, which are a key segment of our customer base, Houston has become a leading destination for trade shows and conferences – another strong suit for SmartSource.”  He noted that SmartSource is also looking to expand its client base within Houston’s booming energy, financial, legal, and legal services markets.

SmartSource President and CEO Michael McClernon added, “Establishing a branch office in Houston, a major business hub with a high concentration of national, multi-national and international businesses, was a strategic decision. It was driven by our commitment to providing the highest level of service to our existing clients, many of whom have regular needs in this area. The fact that Houston hosts numerous trade shows and conventions was a further incentive for establishing a presence in this city.” Earlier this year the company announced the opening of a PC and AV Rental branch in New Orleans, LA.

SmartSource’s Houston office will be headed by David Kirtley, a 12-year computer and AV rental industry veteran and experienced operations manager. He will follow the company’s proven customer service policies in providing SmartSource’s full array of brand name products and related services.

General Info on Houston TX:

Greater Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau

Houston Airport Info

Reliant Park - a 350+ acre convention, trade show and sports complex.

George R. Brown Convention Center

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Tradeshows, Conventions & Corporate Events

Having the right technology partner at your tradeshow, convention or corporate event is what makes the difference between an event becoming another passive so-so experience and an event that generates some excitement and leaves people wanting more. At SmartSource we understand these events are more than just going through the motions - they are critical investments that impact the success of your business. Successful events are a hallmark of successful companies and strategic partnerships. Let SmartSource Rentals be that partner for your next tradeshow, convention or corporate event. Here a few reasons why companies choose to partner with SmartSource Rentals:

• The largest Event Technology Rental Provider in the U.S.
• Full service Audio-Visual and Digital  Technology Partner
• Over 24 company owned branch locations in the U.S.
• The official in well over 300 tradeshow every year
• Over 25+ years experience

SmartSource can help you plan, organize and execute solutions for your next tradeshow or event anywhere in the U.S. We have professionals with years of experience in a variety of industries that can lend specific knowledge to help with your situation including:

–Show Management
“How do I make this Trade Show attractive to Exhibitors & Attendees..Who can help…”

–Association Director
What technology will provide the ‘wow’ factor for my members? What should I use in the general session, breakout rooms and panel discussions? Will my exhibitors have what they need to succeed…?

–I & D / Exhibit House
How can I deliver the right solution and the right value on a tight time frame and budget anywhere in the country…

–Exhibitor
What can I do differently than other exhibitors to maximize my ROI for a certain show. .How do I make my booth stand out and become memorable…

Through planning, ordering, delivery, setup, onsite support and teardown - SmartSource has got you covered. We can work with you to be a ‘go to’ technology solutions partner for any upcoming tradeshow, convention or corporate event you have planned. At SmartSource we recognize that technology is integral to the success of any event, and we are continually working with new technologies to give our clients and edge - it’s what we do! When the pressure is on you can take comfort in having a technology partner with 25+ years experience that can act as a single source full service event solution provider. Talk with one of our team members today about your specific needs at 800.888.8686 or fill out a technology rental request online and let us get back to you. The success of your event might just depend on it!

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