ACCORDING TO NUNBERS RELEASED TODAY, this years CES drew an estimated 110,000 attendees, down 22 percent from last year's audited total of 141,150.

The CEA issued a news release today that the organizers of the event may limit future attendance to 2009 levels. "Our board concluded that it is essential to have the right people attend CES. Board members reported getting more business done this year than at any prior show," said CEA president and CEO Gary Shapiro in the release. One step to limit CES attendance this year included a new $100 pre-registration fee implemented on November 1, the release states.

We are not sure if the news release was just trying to put a spin on the low turnout, or or if a smaller, more manageable show is the ultimate goal.