Daily US Times, Nevada: The man in charge giant CES tech expo has defended his decision of inviting Ivanka Trump to discuss in a keynote slot. The expo is about to start Monday.
Gary Shapiro said Ivanka Trump has done “great work” and will help attendees’ on job-related issues for the future.
Invitation of President Trump’s daughter creates a lot of controversies. She is set to give an interview to Mr Shapiro in a keynote session.
Critics complained other women who have more expertise than Ivanka have failed to be granted lower-profile slots at the show, but Mr Shapiro said he did not regret the decision.
He said there is a lot of focus in future jobs and his interview with Ivanka will focus on how the industry is working with the government on this very important issue
He declined to comment whether Inviting Inavka was his organisation’s idea or White House’s request.
Ivanka Trump has represented White House at tech-themed events before.
‘Upset’ and ‘insulted.’
Shortly before Christmas, The US Consumer Technology Association confirmed Ms Trump would headline a discussion about “the path to the future of work”.
Hundreds of people made their objections about the announcement on Twitter. People started using hashtag #BoycottCES in protest Ivanka invitation.
Carolina Milanesi from the tech consultancy Creative Strategies wrote: ”I was far from pleased at the news and the reason is certainly not found in my political beliefs. The reason for my upset is rooted in the fact that there are many more women who are in tech and are entrepreneurs who could run circles around Trump on how technology will impact the future of work.”
Entrepreneur Rachel Sklar has been campaigning for women to have more opportunities in the tech industry. She said “What an insult to the years and years of protesting how few women were invited to keynote… there are so many great, qualified women. Shame.”
One of CES’s featured speakers this year Mark Cuban, the entrepreneur and star of US TV series Shark Tank said about the issue “I don’t care one way or another. No one has to go to her keynote if they don’t want to.”
CES tech expo is one of the most exciting futuristic tech discussion platforms. More than 175,000 people are expected to attend this year’s expo. The expo is open to industry insiders but not the public.
