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If you love technology and new gadgets, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is the place to be. CES is one of the largest and most influential showcases in the world for introducing innovative technology products from around the globe.

This year the Las Vegas-based show brought in 135,000+ industry professionals, making it the largest audited global tech event since 2020.  With more than 4,300+ exhibitors, including a record 1,400+ start-up companies from around the world, CES 2024 showcased innovative products and technologies that are shaping the world and solving problems.

A diverse group of companies from around the globe showcased the latest innovations in the technology industries to attendees from more than 150 countries. In all, 60% of the Fortune 500 companies were represented.

The show also provided looks at products in the marketplace as well as products-yet-to-be-launched highlighting developments and technology in the areas of:

• Artificial intelligence (so much AI!)
• Human security for all
• Mobility
• Sustainability
• Digital health
• Accessibility and innovation for all
• Gaming and eSports
• Lifestyle
• Home improvements and food
• Transportation

New products demonstrated how technology and wearables can help improve your health, improve accessibility, increased use of robotics, amazing television screens, and so much more.

What’s your favorite innovation from CES?

Group Activities and Discussion Questions:  

1. Discuss the purpose of CES show and how innovation fits into it.
2. View the CES Web site: https://www.ces.tech/
3. Discuss the use of trade shows and exhibits as part of a marketing plan.
4. Show a video overview of CES 2024: https://youtu.be/SVaECrWjnQs?si=Fmt3lGe1nV72Bo9T
5. There are many more videos available on YouTube.
6. Divide students into teams. Have each team select a product featured at CES.
7. Instruct students to research the CES and some of the products online.
8. Define the target market for the product.
9. How is the company using CES in its marketing tactics?
10. Which ones do they think will be winners in the marketplace? What products miss the mark?

Source:  CES news release (12 January 2024); Low, C. (12 January 2024). The best of CES 2024. Engadget.com; Tibken, S., Brown, D., James, C., Rothman, W. (10 January 2024). A CES cheat sheet: 16 gadgets to put on your radar. Wall Street Journal; additional news sources.

BRICS is an organization currently comprised of five countries – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The countries together account for more than 40% of the world’s population and 25% of the global economy.

Initiated by Russia in 2009, it is not a formal multi-lateral agreement such as the United Nations or World Bank. Instead, the heads of state and government convene annually and its focus is economic collaboration and increasing trade and development.

Recently BRICS decided to expand the coalition, inviting six new countries to join. The additional six will join in 2024 and includes Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Argentina, and the United Arab Emirates.

The block operates by consensus. More than 40 countries have expressed interest in joining. The countries want to lower their dependence on Wester trade and increase benefits in development finance and increased trade.

BRICS is also discussing the development of a new currency to be used for cross-border trade with its members. Foreign governments want to detach themselves from reliance on the U.S. dollar. Estimates are that currently 84.3% of cross-border trade use the U.S. dollar, compared to just 4.5% for the Chinese yuan.

The biggest achievement of the group is financial; the countries pooled $100 billion of foreign currency what can be lent to each other, and founded the New Development Bank that has approved more than $43 billion of loans – mainly for water, transportation, and infrastructure.

Should others join?

 Group Activities and Discussion Questions:

1. Poll students: Can they define the current five countries in BRICS?
2. What do they think the purpose is of the BRICS alliance?
3. Show video about BRICS: https://www.reuters.com/world/what-is-brics-who-are-its-members-2023-08-21/
4. Discuss with students the benefit of the new countries joining BRICS. What is the reason for the addition.
5. Divide students into six teams. Have each team research one of the new BRICS countries in regards to population, trade, imports, exports, political structure, etc.
6. Discuss the results and how the new countries joining BRICS might impact U.S. trade.

Source: Acharya, B. (21 August 2023). What is BRICS, which countries want to join and why? Reuters; Erlanger, S. Pierson, D., Chutel, L. (24 August 2023). Iran, Saudi Arabia and Egypt invited to join emerging nations group. New York Times.