ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Office of Government Ethics has released proposed rules that would severely limit the ability of federal government employees to attend events sponsored by industry trade groups. The following statement in response to the proposed rules can be attributed to Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), which owns and produces the International CES, the world’s largest technology trade show, held each January in Las Vegas.

“Our top national issue is jobs and the fastest growing businesses that create jobs rely on trade shows to display innovative products, meet buyers and attract investors. The government plays an important role in facilitating and even helping host these events as they attract visitors from all over the world, including important government officials from other countries.

“As we increasingly restrict the ability of government employees to participate in these events we hurt smaller U.S. companies that rely on trade shows to display their wares. If we want to increase our exports, we need government to view these events as part of our national strategy to encourage jobs and exports. The International CES attracts more than 30,000 visitors from overseas, including many government officials. The present White House restrictions on political appointee participation is embarrassing, problematic and not helpful to our hosting responsibilities. It also hinders efforts to expand travel to the U.S. Extending this requirement to career civil servants would deny government employees the ability to learn about what is happening in business, forge relationships and understand how their actions impact jobs-creating businesses.

“We need to stop making business the enemy of government and make them a partner in job creation and economic growth. I cannot understand why the Administration would seek to further segregate business and government when we need and must have economic growth and job creation.”

About CEA:

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the $190 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry. More than 2,000 companies enjoy the benefits of CEA membership, including legislative 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 www.CE.org, www.DeclareInnovation.com and through social media.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• CEO Summit and Board Retreat
  October 1-3, 2011, Stresa, Lake Maggiore, Italy

• CEA TechHome Mediterraneo 100 Summit
  October 3-5, 2011, Stresa, Lake Maggiore, Italy

• Digital Hollywood Fall
  October 17-20, 2011, Marina Del Ray, CA

• CEA Industry Forum
  October 23-26, 2011, San Diego, CA

• CES New York Press Preview featuring CES Unveiled @ NY
  November 8, 2011, New York, NY
• Future of Television East
  November 18, 2011, New York, NY

• 2012 International CES
  January 10-13, 2012, Las Vegas, NV

CONTACT:

Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)
Megan Pollock, 703-907-7668
mpollock@CE.org
www.CE.org
or
Colleen Lerro, 703-907-7080
clerro@CE.org

KEYWORDS:   United States  North America  Virginia

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:   Technology  Consumer Electronics  Public Policy/Government  Labor  Public Policy  White House/Federal Government

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