(November 20, 2008) The California Chamber of Commerce is encouraging its members to attend a December 3 presentation on the benefits to businesses that participate at CeBIT, the world’s leading trade fair for digital business solutions and information and communications.
CeBIT describes itself as the number one marketplace for digital solutions and most influential international information and communications technology event.
The U.S. Department of Commerce, a long-time exhibitor at CeBIT, recently awarded the State of California funding to help small and medium-sized California companies exhibit for the first time at the show. This funding presents a unique opportunity to leverage the world's largest information and communications technology trade show to enhance the competitiveness of California's firms and communities.
California a “Partner State”
In October, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced that California had been selected as the partner state for CeBIT, which marked the first time that a state, not a country, will serve as a partner.
In previous years, CeBIT has partnered with other nations, including the United States, France, Russia, India and Canada. With California being the partner state, California businesses will be highlighted above all others, providing a great opportunity for business matchmaking and networking for California businesses.
California’s participation at CeBIT 2009 will spotlight the state’s innovative information and communications technologies in several key industries, including: entertainment, Internet-based services, telehealth, security, consumer electronics, digital content generation and distribution, aerospace, and research and technology. In addition, California will feature its green information technology initiatives.
California’s high-tech industry added 21,400 net jobs — a 2 percent increase — for a tech industry total of 940,700 in 2006, (the most current state data available), according to a recent American Electronics Association (AeA) study. The report also indicated that California continues to lead the nation by most high-tech industry metrics and that venture capital investments increased 8 percent to $13.8 billion in 2007, accounting for 47 percent of all venture capital in the country.
CeBIT 2008 featured 67 exhibiting companies from California, as well as other California companies that registered through their international subsidiaries. The event attracted 495,000 attendees, 5,800 visitors and more than 7,000 press and media from more than 77 countries.
CeBIT 2009 will be organized jointly by Deutsche Messe AG and its U.S. subsidiary, Hannover Fairs USA, Inc., the U.S. Department of Commerce; the Office of the Governor of California, the California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency and the German Association for Information Technology, Telecommunications and New Media (BITKOM).
The CalChamber, which is listed as a supporting organization for the CeBIT–California collaboration, supports the expansion of international trade and investment, fair and equitable market access for California products abroad, and elimination of disincentives that impede the international competitiveness of California business.
Becoming a CeBIT Exhibitor
Businesses wanting to know more about becoming a CeBIT exhibitor should attend the December 3 presentation in Irvine, at the Irvine Marriott Hotel. For registration information see the attached flyer.
For more information about CeBIT, visit www.hfusa.com/cebit_california
Staff Contact: Susanne Stirling