Most of the 140,000+ people who attend the CES go there for the trade show. Many of them are completely unaware that CES holds some of the most massive parties the world has ever seen. And when you’re name is John Chow and you own The TechZone, Then you get invited to all the parties. Why? Because I’m John Chow! 🙂
Our partying last night started at 5PM and did not end until after midnight. There are after parties still going on but when you go non-stop for 7 hours of eating and drinking, you really do need a break because tomorrow, you’ll be doing all over again!
The 2007 CES was the first year for one of my writers, and as you can imagine he is completely overwhelmed by the attention and lavish gifts companies throw at us. We were invited to 22 parties tonight. Even the wildest of party animals cannot do 22 parties in 7 hours. However, we tried to party hop to as many as we can. Here are some party pics!
5:00PM-6:00PM – Showstoppers Media Party
Our first stop was at Wynn Las Vegas for Showstoppers. Showstoppers is known as a “working party” because you are there to make contacts as well as drink and stuff your face full of food. There are over 100 companies displaying their stuff. The bar is open and the food was better than the Digital Experience party was the night before.
6PM-7:30PM – TigerDirect Build Your Own PC Race
The TigerDirect PC Race was also held at Wynn and is one of the most fun parties of CES. Thirty members of the press race each other to see who can build a PC the fastest. The winner gets $10,000 to give to his or her favorite charity. All 30 PCs are donated to charity as well. The race itself last only 15 minutes. If you cannot finish your PC by then, you are out. The hours leading up to race is just a lot drinking and eating. TigerDirect has donated over $1 million to charities since starting this event 10 years ago. This year I built my PC in 9 minutes 18 seconds, and came in ninth. My advice; don’t drink and build a PC at the same time! You won’t win.
8:00PM-10PM – Verizon Party At Nobu
The Verizon party was held at Nobu restaurant, one of the best sushi restaurants in Las Vegas. What make the Verizon party unique is it features an open sushi bar as well as an open bar. Nobu makes some of the best sushi in the city and I love sushi! It was at the Verizon party that I realized, while sitting outside in the Nubo patio with friends who traveled from all over the world to meet up, that it doesn’t get much better than this.
10:30PM-12:30AM – OCZ Technology Party
OCZ Technology has been a long time TTZ sponsor and their parties are always fun. Held at the Bellagio penthouse, the OCZ party was packed. I really like the OCZ party because the same people who came to my party goes to OCZ party as well, so I know everyone!
I lost track on the number of drinks I consumed or the amount of food I ate. I am sure we will be heading back to Vancouver a lot heavier than when we came. Tomorrow, we do it all over again!