Most of the 150,000 or so people who will attend the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas next week are executives and other staffers from companies in the tech industry: hardware makers, service providers, and retailers. Several thousand other attendees are mediafolk like me: reporters, bloggers, and analysts.
And the third most-represented group? It may well be celebrities. Theyre one of the most surefire ways to attract attention to a booth or a party, and so the companies exhibiting at the show bring them to Vegas by the truckload.
Some of the well-known people in attendance actually are into tech stuff: LeVar Burton, who I once had a pleasant chat with at a Monster party, is as much of a gearhead as you and me. Others are presumably there purely because theyre being handsomely compensated, (Not that thats necessarily bad: The best thing that ever happened to me at a Las Vegas trade show was seeing Ray Charles perform, brilliantly, at an otherwise mundane WordPerfect party at a mid-1990s COMDEX.)
The Consumer Electronics Association, which organizes CES, has released a list of celebrity guests wholl be at this years event. And here they are. (If the names dont all sound familiar, dont feel badI didnt know who some of them were until just now, either.)
50 Cent
Who is he? The acclaimed rapper.
Whats he doing at CES? Fitty will sign autographs from 3-4 pm on Tuesday, January 10, Wednesday, January 11 and Thursday, January 12 for his new audio company, SMS Audio, which combines technology, function and style to bring the highest caliber of sound, comfort and fashion to every product, at their booth (LVCC, South Hall, #20818). Hell also be on hand to discuss his new line of wireless headphones with the editors of TechCrunch at the AOL Studio (LVCC, Grand Lobby) on Wednesday, January 11 from 12-12:30 pm
Justin Bieber
Who is he? A Grammy-nominated platinum pop megastar, apparently.
Whats he doing at CES? The Biebll be appearing with TOSY Robotics at this years CES. Justin Bieber is helping TOSY unveil their new innovative entertainment robot at the their booth which is located in the Robotics TechZone of the LVCC South Hall ground level (#21964, 21968, 22064, 22066 and 22068) on Wednesday, January 11 from 1-3 pm
Wayne Brady and Greg Grunberg
Who are they?Wayne is an Emmy winner and Grammy nominated actor, singerknown for his work as a regular on the American version of comedy television series Whose Line Is It Anyway? Greg is best known for his starring role on the NBC television series Heroes.
What are they doing at CES? Theyll join OnStar for their Tweet House sessions, the official social media track for CES, on Wednesday, January 11 from 1-5 pm in N254, North Hall. Greg and Wayne will also attend OnStars “It Wont Stay in Vegas” party on Wednesday from 6-8 pm at the Stirling Club.
Chicago
Who are they? All the CEA says is that theyre legendary and play real music.
What are they doing at CES?Theyll perform at Monsters annual Retailer Awards and Concerton Wednesday, January 11 at the Paris Hotel. (Hey, does anybody know what time it is?)
Jose Hyde Cotto
Who is he? An urban music pioneer.
Whats he doing at CES? Hell perform at iHips celebration on Tuesday evening along with with Mas Flow, El Verdadero Quimico, Luny Tunes, and DJ Nelson,and will be signing autographs at the booth on Thursday, January 12.
Eliza Dushku
Who is she? Dushku rose to fame with her role in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spinoff series Angel. She is also known for her starring role in the network series, Tru Calling and Dollhouse, as well as roles in True Lies, Bring it On, This Boys Life, Wrong Turn and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.
Whats she doing at CES? Shes CESs Entertainment Matters AmbassadorAs part of her ambassadorship, Dushku will contribute to Spike TVs CES All Access Live broadcast coverage from 12:30-1:45 pm on Tuesday, January 10, and she will also host the networks exclusive VIP CES party that evening at Tryst Nightclub in the Wynn Las Vegas.
Andy Fisenden, Simon Fisenden, and Dane Alderton
Who are they? Top Australian musicians. (Disclaimer: An Australian friend of mine whos a fan of Eliza Dushku and Alistair Overeem isnt familiar with these guys.)
What are they doing at CES? Playing at Audioflys booth (LVCC, South Hall, #26728) at 11 am, 2 pm and 4 pm each day.
Allison Fishman
Who is she? A cookbook author and creator of The Wooden Spoon cooking school.
Whats she doing at CES? She will give a cooking demo and make daily appearances at Haiers booth from 10 am-5 pm on Tuesday, January 10 and 9 am-5 pm on both Wednesday, January 11 and Thursday, January 12.
Robert Horry and John Salley
Who are they? Horry is a seven-time NBA Champion and current sports commentator and one of only two players to have won NBA championships with three different teams. Salley is the first NBA player to win four championships with three different teams.
What are they doing at CES? They will be appearing at Haier Americas booth from 11 am-2 pm on Wednesday, January 11.
Jabbawockeez
Who are they? The all-male, hip-hop dance crew best known for winning season one of MTVs Americas Best Dance Crew and headliner at the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino, making them the first and only dance crew to headline their own show in Las Vegas.
What are they doing at CES? Theyll be opening Qualcomms keynote address, scheduled for 8:30 am on Tuesday, January 10 in the Venetians Palazzo Ballroom.
John Glen, Martin Campbell, Michael Apted, Olga Kurylenko, and Caterina Muterino
Who are they? Glen, Campbell, and Apted are critically acclaimed directors who have helmed from one to five James Bond movies apiece; Kurylenko and Caterina Muterino are former Bond girls.
What are they doing at CES?The directors are there for a panel to kick off the 50th anniversary of MGMs James Bond on Tuesday, January 10 at 1:30 pm at Panasonics booth (LVCC, Central Hall, #9806). Kurylenko and Muterino will be on hand for a special presentation that will include props from the legendary film franchise.
LL Cool J
Who is he? Star of the hit CBS drama NCIS.
Whats he doing at CES?Hes introducing exciting new technology from Boomdizzle on the CNET stage (LVCC, South Hall Lobby) on Tuesday, January 10 at approximately 2 pm In addition, LL COOL J will make a public appearance at the Dolby Booth (Central Hall #8153) on Tuesday, January 10th at 4 pm to demo a track he created using Boomdizzle, playing it back on a Dolby technology-enabled laptop to a full home-theater surround sound system.
Jillian Michaels
Who is she? An inspirational television personality and fitness guru.
Whats she doing at CES? From 10:30-11 am on Tuesday, January 10, Michaels will discuss the impact of digital innovation and her recent partnership with BodyMedia, an on-body monitor company.
Jamie Michelle
Who is she? Jamie is one of southern Californias most requested models whos been modeling for the past nine years for online and commercial print work, calendars and swimsuit fashion shows, and has worked with famous photographers such as Ladi Van Jansky and Mike Prado.
Whats she doing at CES? She will berepresenting automotive audio company Powerbass USA, Inc.
Alistair Overeem
Who is he? The famous three-time World Champion Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter and winner of the recent Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Heavyweight bout.
Whats he doing at CES? Overeem will battle against Qualcomm executives and media in mobile MMA fight games, including “Fight Game Heroes” at Qualcomms booth (LVCC, South Hall, #30313) at 2 pm on Tuesday, January 10, 2 pm on Wednesday, January 11 and 12 pm on Thursday, January 12.
Dennis Rodman
Who is he? The NBA Hall of Fame player.
Whats he doing at CES? Hes representing Paltalk, a service that allows users to explore the online world of chat sites with community chat rooms and cool webcam technology that lets you see and be seen. Dennis will make an appearance at Paltalks booth (LVCC, South Hall, #26915) from 2-3:30 pm on Thursday, January 12.
Jordan Rudess
Who is he? A recording artist, composer, producer and performer.
Whats he doing at CES? He will be representing iConnectivity at CES, demonstrating software applications from Wizdom Music including their innovative Sample Wiz and Geo Synth applications, and connecting his iPad to his musical gear with iConnectMIDI, the ultimate MIDI interface.
Teresa Scanlan
Who is she? Miss America!
Whats she doing at CES? She will walk the CES show floor from 10-11 am on Tuesday, January 10, for unspecified reasons. (Side note: Shes only Miss America until the Saturday after the show, when her successor will be crowned at Planet Hollywood on the Strip.)
Snooki
Who is she? Why, shes best known for her role on the most talked about reality TV show Jersey Shore.
Whats she doing at CES? Shell make a guest appearance and sign autographs at iHips booth (LVCC, South Hall, #21920) from 2-4 pm on Tuesday, January 10 and will also host iHips new line and 2012 collaboration celebration on Tuesday evening from 9:30 pm-1:30 am at the Gallery at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino.
The Yok
Who is he? A world-reknowned graffiti artist.
Whats he doing at CES? Hell be at Audioflys booth creating some of his artwork.
Thats the official roster. Im sure its incomplete, and it doesnt include notable names from the tech industry, such as Steve Ballmerwhos more famous than most of the people here.
Theres nobody on the CEAs list that Im going to go out of my way to meet. But if I happen to get on an elevator and find Justin Bieber or Snooki there, Ill let you know
