Walk Towards the Light

Light is a very powerful thing.  Even the smallest glimmer can make a huge difference in a dark room.  When we are surrounded by darkness, we all look for some source of light, any light to provide us with direction.  I feel that there is a the light that is beginning to shine in the darkness of our economy.  For most, it is still a small flicker, but it is there.  We just need to focus on it and start walking towards it.

I noticed that glimmer of hope when we attended the 2010 Consumer Electronic Show (CES) in Las Vegas.  I was pretty cool that over 100,000 of my best buds met me there to check out the latest in technology being introduced into the consumer market.  It was quite a party.  This was the first CES that I've ever attended and it was quite a sight.  The hall was filled with hundreds of vendors with larger than life booths.  The vendors didn't seem to pull any punches as they put together very elaborate displays to dazzle the imagination and make their little piece of the show floor look larger than life.  And the floor itself had a life of its own.  The excitement of the attendees created an energy that was contagious.  To a tech guy, this was like being at Disney World.

I have to admit, it was hard to stay on mission.  Brian Garavuso, Chair of the Guestroom 20X Committee; Frank Wolfe, CEO of HFTP; Steven Stout, Director Meetings and Events for HFTP and I were there to search for the latest and greatest technologies for the 2010 version of Guestroom 20X to be displayed this coming June 21 thru 24 at HITEC in Orlando, Flordia.  However, there were distractions galore.  I really don't think there is a place for Earthquake car stereo speakers in the guestroom, but I have to admit, I was fanaticizing how that would fit in my Ford Expedition.  My wife didn't agree.

Vendors pulled out all the stops to catch your attention as you walked through the floor.  They resurrected Elvis and Marilyn Monroe, had all-leather dressed racecar pit crews and barely-dressed Caribbean models to bring your attention to their booth.  Well, that's what people told me.  I really didn't notice myself.  However, I was quite distracted by the cute little microphone in the Sony booth.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

If there was a a theme of the show, I'd have to say it was everything TV.  Small TV's that fit on your jacket like a name tag up to the massive projection screen technology that make your living room into a full scaled theater.  Of course, thin is it.  The new LED TV's are as thin as 3/4 of an inch and can be hung on the wall like a painting.  And the picture is amazing on these units.  Amazing and eco-friendly.  These new TV's use up to 40% less power than the previous LCD models.  LED TV's have been around for a while but this year's twist was the new 3D version.  These TV's in conjunction with a 3D Blue-ray player produces a true 3D experience right inside your living room.  You still have to use the glasses, but the quality is amazing.

Of course there were many other technologies that we saw and many would be great additions to the Guestroom 20X.  I can tell you what they are, you'll have to come to Orlando and see them yourself.  It will be well worth the trip.

I believe the success of the CES show is a small light that the economy is turning in the right direction.  2010 will probably be a little tight for everyone, especially since most of the budgets have already been set.  But the upturn gives us much hope for 2011.  Many projects that have been on hold for a while may begin to be put back on the books by then and we need to make sure we are ready for them.  HITEC 2010 will give everyone the opportunity to plan for the technology projects that will be coming our way, so make plans to attend.  You don't want to be caught uninformed.

As the title says, we have a glimmer of light, so let's set a path to walk towards the light and climb our way out of this dark room.

Terry