Dear Colleague,
Thank you for working, partnering, doing business with or meeting me.
Given how our paths crossed, I write to share with you an update.
Yesterday, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)® announced effective May 1, 2026, President Kinsey Fabrizio will become CTA President and CEO. I will remain CTA Executive Chair. Kinsey is a superb choice to lead CTA, and I have full confidence she will be magnificent in the CEO role. This transition is part of CTA’s long-term succession planning.
I have had a terrific run with CTA since 1979, when as a law student, I worked at a law firm representing CTA. After graduating law school in 1980 I stayed with the firm but left to join CTA in 1981. Ten years later in 1991, I was put in charge of CTA. I was privileged to witness and be part of a tech revolution changing how we interact, learn, work, live and play. I am so proud of how CTA and CES® protected and promoted innovation making our world better.
Along the way, CES became the world’s top trade show by almost every independently audited measure. We also partnered with the United Nations to promote tech enabling human securities including health care, food, clean air and water.
I am also proud of our advocacy, voluntary standards and industry-government partnerships. We protected consumers’ fair use rights, preserved video rentals, created the standard for HDTV, helped create a Virginia legal regime for Internet commerce (which became the global model), created airplane mode, got hearing aids to be sold like eyeglasses at retail and protected human rights and access to tech. I have been humbled by the UN adding access to technology as a fundamental human security, receiving the Media Institute’s prestigious Freedom of Speech award, being knighted by the Royal Order of Francis I and being at the Élysée Palace to receive the rank of Chevalier and receiving the Légion d’Honneur from President Macron.
But these awards were not just about me. They were because of hundreds of volunteers, an amazing board and committed employees and partners. CTA received scores of employer awards as a great place to work (including the recent “18 Great Places to Work in the DC Area” award from Washingtonian). Thanks to our supportive volunteer board, we pioneered non-profit use of incentive compensation for all employees as well as wellness programs, monthly paying a portion of our employees’ student loans and offering $40k to employees to help buy a home.
Since 1991 our membership, CES, revenue, employees and reputation have all vastly expanded. We moved into mobility, health care, wireless, accessibility and content creation. The numbers are big but not the story. The story is what we do.
I am proud of our work. The Consumer Technology Association Foundation we created and nurtured now has great leaders as it funds tech programs empowering seniors and people with disabilities. Our Innovation for All program supports VCs funding entrepreneurs who are not traditionally financed including women, people of color, people with disabilities and veterans. And for decades we have sought diverse leaders and CES speakers; they are role models and almost always make us better. We even invite those we disagree with to speak at CES. We support national debt reduction, free trade and bipartisanship.
Our innovation-focused mission has made coming to work each day a joy. It also motivated our employees and volunteers to do great things. The world is getting better every day as health care, mobility, education and agriculture benefit from AI, robotics, advanced sensing and soon quantum. With four books and over 1500 opinions pieces, I have been lucky to have a job where I have a megaphone and can advocate for policies favoring innovation.
So Why Now?
It is a great question.
CTA has been my life’s work. But it is time. While it is hard to give up the greatest job in the world, a good leader knows when it is time to pass the reigns to the next great leader.
I keep hearing Kenny Rodgers’ song, The Gambler. (‘Know when to hold them. Know when to fold them. Know when to walk away. Know when to run.’). Heading a business is an all-encompassing job. No day passes without work. I’ve seen people stay too long in leadership positions and I don’t want to be one of those people. Plus, we have a great team soon to be fully led by a great leader. Kinsey has the passion, chops and experience to take CTA to the next level. We need her new ideas and bigger mountains to climb. She will do great!
So What’s Next?
I still have gas in my tank and a desire to make a difference and stay engaged. I will be helping CTA at least into 2027 and staying on various boards, but I will be looking at new opportunities. I plan to continue speaking, writing, mentoring and advising executives. I hope to rekindle relationships. I am excited about AI, quantum, innovation, entrepreneurs, corporate governance and policy. I also hope to catch up on sleep and spend more time with my family.
I have been blessed with so much. Thank you for being part of this journey. I would welcome staying in touch via LinkedIn, Facebook, or by text.
Gratefully,
Gary Shapiro
Executive Chair and CEO
Consumer Technology Association (CTA)®
