In Step with Tech Evolution, the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) unveiled its new name – the Consumer Technology Association (CTA). CTA announced the name and introduced its new logo at CES Unveiled New York, a half-day event offering a sneak peek at the year’s most innovative products and technologies two months before CES 2016.
The association’s members ratified the new name during their annual membership meeting held during the Innovate! conference in New York City. “Innovation and expansion are hallmarks of the consumer technology industry and our association – and as our industry changes, so must we,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of the Consumer Technology Association. “Our membership and the consumer technology sector have grown and evolved to engage almost every major industry segment and America’s burgeoning startup economy, touching almost every part of consumers’ lives. Our new name – the Consumer Technology Association – more accurately represents this growth and the excitement and innovative spirit of the industry we represent. CTA also better captures our association’s vision, scope of advocacy, current membership base and brand promise.”
“The Consumer Technology Association represents more than 2,200 technology companies – 80 percent of whom are small businesses and startups, others are among the world’s largest companies – that are improving our world by transforming the way we work, live, learn, communicate and play. By replacing the term “Electronics,” which no longer captures the full breadth of the consumer tech industry, with “Technology” the Consumer Technology Association more accurately represents its members, many of whom are non-hardware innovators including BMW, Expedia, Ford, Google, Lyft, Netflix, Pandora, Snapchat, Starz, Uber, WebMD, Yelp and Twentieth Century Fox.”
“As the tech sector has evolved at the lightning speed of innovation, we’ve broadened our membership to include new technologies and intersecting industry sectors,” says Dan Pidgeon, Starpower chairman and CTA Executive Board chair. “App and software development, crowdsourcing technology, content creation, personalized health care, the sharing economy, music streaming services – companies from all of these sectors and more now look to us as the public voice of industry, a champion for innovation and source of unparalleled market research.”
updated for 2016
CTA has always ensured its name evolved to reflect the rapidly-developing technology industry it represents. The association began as the Radio Manufacturers Association in 1924, later became the Electronic Industries Association, then the Consumer Electronics Manufacturers Association and, in 1999, the Consumer Electronics Association.
“While our name has evolved, our association’s mission stands firm – to grow the consumer technology industry,” said Shapiro. “The Consumer Technology Association remains the voice of the industry, fighting for and defending pro-technology policies. Our focus and commitment to excellence in market research, public policy, industry promotion and standards, and events will continue stronger than ever.”
Consumer Technology Association.
The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) also announced the election of its 2016 Executive Board and Board of Industry Leaders (BIL). These distinguished groups of top industry executives meet throughout the year to discuss important issues facing the industry, share visions and propose solutions.
CTA announced the 17 new members of the association’s BIL and Executive Board at the CTA Innovate! conference in New York City. Daniel Pidgeon, chairman, Starpower; and David Hagan, president and CEO, Boingo Wireless; will continue to serve on the Executive Board as chair and vice chair, respectively. Jay McLellan, vice president, Leviton Security and Automation, and Pat Lavelle, president and CEO, VOXX International, also remain on the Executive Board as past chair and Industry Executive Advisor, respectively. David Inns, CEO, GreatCall was newly elected to the CTA Executive Board as Division Executive Board Vice Chair.
Previously elected CTA Executive Board members who will continue to serve include Michael Fasulo, president and COO, Sony Electronics, Inc.; Ron Freeman, CEO, AAMP Global; Randy Fry, president, Fry’s Electronics; Henry Juszkiewicz, CEO, Gibson; Mike Mohan, chief merchandising officer, Best Buy; Eliott Peck, SVP imaging technologies and communications group and chairman and CEO, Canon Information Technology, Canon; John Penney, chief strategy officer , Starz; and Sally Washlow, president, Cedar Electronics.
CTA’s Gary Shapiro continues to serve as CEO and President; Glenda MacMullin, COO and CFO, as Treasurer; Karen Chupka, senior vice president, CES and corporate business strategy as secretary; and Jacqueline Black, manager, office of the president, as assistant secretary.
“Our organization is fortunate to have such a dedicated team with an extremely diverse breadth of knowledge and experience serving on our Executive Board,” said Gary Shapiro. “Together, this group serves the critical role of shaping the strategic direction for our association and our industry while providing oversight of the services and programs we offer our membership including our flagship event, CES.”
www.CTA.tech
