If you go to http://www.cesweb.org you can sign up for the 2005 Consumer Electronics Show (Las Vegas, January 6 - 9). While you only get a free exhibits pass for signing up (a plastic card), if you go, you can load up on free stuff.

Last January I went, and the trunk of my car I stuffed with junk (pens, t-shirts, notepads, assorted gizmos, etc.). Only thing of major value was I did win a PDA while there. I also saw the opening keynote speaker (Bill Gates who appeared with Jay Leno). That was free in the L.V. Hilton main theater.

It's kind of fun, if you're into this stuff. Plus if you're into getting lots of free stuff, it's best you drive, since it all won't fit in your luggage.

Thanks for the link -- I like your title too "Free Everything" Thanks though, it'll be my first time visiting Las Vegas....

...anyone want to take a trip to Las Vegas and sign up under my company?

Thanks, CES is a great show and a lot of fun. Remember to wear comfortable shoes!

Thanks. What's not free are the hotels. Almost all increase their rates during this period, so book early.

CES is rather loose when it comes to whom could sign up to come (which is just about everybody). They say on their website:

International CES is not open to the general public. You must be in the consumer electronics industry to be eligible to attend the show.

But it's really only children they don't allow on the convention center floors. You do need to sign-up, and show ID to get your badge holder, for tracking and security purposes.

When you sign-up on the web, just about everyone is in the consumer electronics industry in some form. Just think about it. If you just have a flashlight at work that needs batteries, and tell your boss (or whoever supplies them) you need some D cells, then you're influencing their decision to buy batteries (a consumer electronic).

Even if you're retired, no one seems to care. Most vendors there are there to display and sell things. Everyone is welcome. Just bring ID. Also, bring something to carry stuff in. They say no luggage in the convention center, but small wheeled devices they seem OK with.

Thanks for the information. I registered myself and my husband. We have a music studio so this could be very interesting.

We should have a flyertalk reunion during the conference!

We'll probably need the whole convention center for that too. Do you think we could kick-out CES a day early for us to have it?

nice post!! i've always wanted to go to this!!

...is it better if we have a company to sign up under?? if so, i'll sign up!!

Unless there is some perk offered to employees of certain companies, I don't think it matters. On their web site, they say to bring two forms of ID. One pictured, and one showing your work affiliation (business card, business ID, etc.) Last time I went all they wanted to see was my drivers license.

They give you color-coded badge holders, depending what you are (buyer, distributor, press, retailer, etc.). I got a yellow holder, because that's what they gave "government buyers"). I work for a government agency, but wasn't really representing them (this was all on my own time and expense).

Whatever badge you had, they all let you wander all over the convention center. There are sessions and workshops you can also attend, most you had to pay for. But if you're there to browse at all the gizmos and collect free stuff, it really doesn't matter who you work for, or are self employed, or even if you don't work. You just need to say you're involved in the consumer electronics industry, no matter how remote.