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CEA Honors Revolution Chairman and CEO Steve Case and Congressman Bob Goodlatte as Digital Patriots
[April 16, 2015]

CEA Honors Revolution Chairman and CEO Steve Case and Congressman Bob Goodlatte as Digital Patriots


The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)® honored Internet pioneer and Revolution (News - Alert) Chairman and CEO Steve Case along with U.S. Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) for their instrumental roles in supporting and advancing technology innovation at CEA's 11th annual Digital Patriots Dinner held Tuesday night, April 14 in Washington, D.C. The Digital Patriots Dinner kicked off a week of exciting technology policy events in D.C., aimed at showcasing the importance of innovation to members of Congress and the D.C. tech policy community. Other event highlights included CEA's Lobby Day to advocate for pro-innovation policies, and CES (News - Alert) on the Hill, a technology exhibit that brought the excitement of the CEA-owned and produced International CES® to the nation's capital.

Steve Case accepted his Digital Patriots award after Shapiro noted both his crucial role in creating AOL (News - Alert), one of the great American success stories, as well as his many contributions to entrepreneurship by supporting pro- innovation public policy and entrepreneurship across America. "Entrepreneurs are alive and well all across the country," Case noted as he accepted his award. "We need to develop more strategic partnerships to move ideas forward and engage with governments. We are now in the third wave of technology, where the Internet is integrating seamlessly into all aspects of our lives, from education to healthcare."

U.S. Congressman Bob Goodlatte was recognized as a Digital Patriot (News - Alert) for his long-standing leadership in Congress on intellectual property, patent reform and technology issues. During his acceptance remarks, Goodlatte noted the importance of entrepreneurial freedom. "We need to make sure the judicial system is fair to innovators, which is why I introduced patent reform legislation," he said. "We need real immigration reform. This country is a leader in innovation. Folks come here to this place that rewards creativity. I am working to make the SKILLS Visa Act move thru Congress this session."

CEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro (News - Alert) kicked off the Digital Patriots Dinner with opening remarks reminding technology developers that Members of Congress need to hear their stories and learn about the latest innovations. Shapiro also announced the results of CEA's inaugural Innovation Scorecard, a report that evaluates and ranks states' innovation friendliness in ten areas. States recognized for leading the country as Innovation Champions include Delaware, Washington, D.C., Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Virginia. Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe and North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory were both on hand to represent their states. The two jokingly advocated for their state as the most innovation friendly. "We get it in Virginia," McAuliffe said. "Virginia is for tech lovers. We have great tax benefits for businesses and one out of ten in our workforce works in the technology space."

More information about the Innovation Scorecard, criteria used for scoring and the 2015 champions is available online.

As sponsors of the Digital Patriots Dinner, Audi, MakerBot, Parrot and Volkswagen demonstrated their newest and most innovative technologies that included electric vehicles, 3D printers and drones.

Highlight videos of the 2015 Digital Patriot honorees can be found here. Check out a recap video of the event here. All proceeds from the Digital Patriots Dinner are being donated to Girls Who Code and the CEA Foundation.



This week's activities also included a Lobby Day on Wednesday morning where representatives from CEA's Board of Industry Leaders, Small Business Council and Automotive Electronics Division Board advocated for the U.S. House of Representatives to pass strong patent litigation reform and trade promotion authority (TPA) legislation. The week's events concluded with CES on the Hill which took place on Wednesday evening at the Rayburn House Office Building. More than 500 attendees, including 30 members of Congress, learned about the latest consumer technologies and products from companies at the center of some of the most critical, current technology policy debates.

Exhibit highlights included Laminar Research's X-Plane flight simulator; LG's 65-inch class 65EG9600 "Art Slim Curved 4K OLED TV"; Nutritionix's technology platform to help restaurant chains and food manufacturers comply with federal nutrition publishing requirements; Panasonic's smart rearview mirror, solar roof panels, home monitoring system, 4K-UHD personal and professional ecosystem and energy storage solutions; Pinshape's next-generation 3D printing marketplace that enables designers to sell and share their 3D designs; Samsung's SUHD TV 65-inch display and Gear Virtual Reality and senseFly's eBee and eXom, safe, ultra-light and easy-to-use aerial imaging drones for professional applications.


Other CES on the Hill exhibitors included:

CES on the Hill exhibitor products and technologies are highlighted in this video.

About CEA:

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the technology trade association representing the $286 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry. More than 2,000 companies enjoy the benefits of CEA membership, including legislative and regulatory advocacy, market research, technical training and education, industry promotion, standards development and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA also owns and produces the International CES - The Global Stage for Innovation. All profits from CES are reinvested into CEA's industry services. Find CEA online at CE.org, InnovationMovement.com and through social media: http://www.ce.org/social

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • 2015 International CES Asia
    May 25-27, 2015, Shanghai, China
  • CEO Summit
    May 25-27, 2015, Shanghai, China
  • CEA Innovate!
    November 8-10, 2015, New York, NY
  • CE Hall of Fame Dinner
    November 9, 2015, New York, NY
  • CES Unveiled New York
    November 10, 2015, New York, NY
  • CES Unveiled Las Vegas
    January 4, 2016, Las Vegas, NV
  • 2016 International CES
    January 6-9, 2016, Las Vegas, NV


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