For the past 100 years, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)® has been a driving force in technology, transforming ideas into groundbreaking innovations that enhance everyday life.
Founded in 1924 as the Radio Manufacturers Association, CTA has grown to represent over 1,300 companies in the $505 billion U.S. consumer technology industry, impacting more than 18 million U.S. jobs. This remarkable journey underscores CTA’s unwavering commitment to fostering innovation and supporting the technological ecosystem.
A Beacon of Innovation: CES
At the heart of CTA’s efforts to promote innovation is CES, the world’s most powerful technology event. In January, CES 2024 brought together around 140,000 attendees, including entrepreneurs, innovators, policymakers, and industry leaders, to showcase the latest technological advancements. Gary Shapiro, CTA’s CEO, emphasizes:
“CES is the premier global innovation event. While it attracts world leaders, politicians, and government officials, its core focus is on entrepreneurs and innovators. Our mission is to facilitate innovation, as we believe it holds the key to solving some of the world’s most fundamental problems.”
CES provides a platform for companies to unveil their newest products and technologies, making it a launchpad for innovation. Gary adds:
“CES provides opportunities for global companies to make major announcements, startups to showcase their innovations and secure their big break, and for forming deals and partnerships. It also offers the serendipity and wonder of discovering and experiencing new technologies for the first time.”
The event is renowned for its diverse range of exhibitors, from industry giants to pioneering startups.
Nurturing Startups: Eureka Park
One of the standout features of CES is Eureka Park, a dedicated area for startups to present their cutting-edge ideas. This initiative reflects CTA’s belief that some of the most groundbreaking innovations come from small, agile companies.
Eureka Park has become a crucial platform for startups to gain visibility, secure funding, and form strategic partnerships. The success stories emerging from this hub of innovation demonstrate CTA’s commitment to supporting the next generation of tech entrepreneurs.
Advocacy for Pro-Innovation Policies
CTA plays a vital role in advocating for policies that protect and promote the innovation economy. Through its work on Capitol Hill, CTA ensures that U.S. policymakers understand the importance of fostering a regulatory environment conducive to technological advancement. Gary says:
“With our mission focused on facilitating innovation, we believe innovation will solve some of the most fundamental problems in the world. We have partnered with the United Nations, which has identified fundamental human securities: the right to clean air, the right to clean water, the right to healthcare, the right to food, and the right to community involvement. And at our request last October, they actually added another one, and that’s access to technology.”
CTA’s advocacy efforts span a wide range of issues, including artificial intelligence, 5G, cybersecurity, digital health, self-driving technologies, and trade. By engaging with policymakers and educating them about innovation’s benefits, CTA helps create a landscape where technology can thrive.
Setting Industry Standards
A significant aspect of CTA’s work is its role in developing industry standards. The association’s Technology and Standards program involves over 70 committees and roughly 1,100 participants, creating blueprints that guide the development of various technologies. Gary explains:
“Our role is to bring together companies interested in various verticals or collective action. We collaborate to promote innovation and set numerous standards. We recently established our 30th health-focused standard and partnered with various organizations, including many in the Washington area and several medical colleges, particularly healthcare and entrepreneurship. We operate within the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) guidelines as a standard-setting organization. We welcome anyone, including entrepreneurs, to help develop standards in emerging areas.”
“The advantage of these standards is that they help establish markets and make products accessible to consumers.”
For instance, CTA’s work was crucial to developing standards and advocating for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s 2022 authorization of over-the-counter hearing aids, making hearing assistance more accessible and affordable. This achievement highlights the impact of CTA’s standards-setting efforts on improving the quality of life for millions of people.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
CTA recognizes that diverse perspectives are essential for driving innovation. The association invests in programs and partnerships to boost diversity and inclusion within the technology industry. Gary asserts:
“Innovation can only reach its fullest potential when the workforce includes a blend of different voices, backgrounds, genders, ethnicities, and perspectives.”
CTA’s initiatives include working groups focused on women in technology, as well as a $10 million commitment – announced at CES 2019 – to venture firms and funds focused on women, people of color, and other underrepresented startups and entrepreneurs. The CTA Foundation funds programs and connects stakeholders to promote technology that enhances the lives of these communities.
Driving Growth with Insights
CTA provides its members with valuable insights to help them navigate the ever-changing technology landscape. With over 100 reports and 30 consumer studies each year, CTA provides members with timely and reliable data on the latest trends in technology, including industry forecasts and sector-specific research and analysis covering topics including AI, audio/video, automotive and mobility, digital health, gaming, retail, smart home, and more. These insights support informed decision-making and strategic planning, ensuring companies stay ahead of the curve.
Celebrating a Century of Impact
As 2024 marks CTA’s 100th anniversary, it reflects on a legacy of advocacy, standard-setting, and fostering innovation. As the organization celebrates the milestone with a series of events at CES and the CTA Innovation House, the anniversary provides an opportunity to honor the association’s history and envision the future. Gary remarks:
“It’s a moment for us to look ahead to the next 100 years and share our vision for how technology can and will shape our future.”
Innovations for the Future
The future of innovation is bright, with emerging technologies poised to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Gary is particularly excited about advances in healthcare, generative AI, and self-driving vehicles. He states:
“Healthcare, generative AI, and self-driving vehicles will fundamentally change the world. Innovation is a tool that produces tremendous products and is going to change how people live their lives, whether it’s in education, healthcare, communication, transportation, food, shelter – every aspect.”
CTA’s role in advancing these technologies is crucial, as the association advocates for policies that support innovation and create growth opportunities. By fostering a culture of collaboration and inclusion, CTA ensures that the technology industry remains a dynamic and transformative force.
The Consumer Technology Association’s century-long legacy is a testament to the power of innovation to change lives and drive progress. As we look to the future, CTA’s commitment to advocacy, standard-setting, and fostering innovation will continue to shape the technology landscape, creating a better world for all.
