Karen Chupka to Leave Consumer Technology Association in December After 33-Year Tenure

November 8, 2022

Karen Chupka, chief strategy officer at the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), is departing the organization to launch her own consulting practice, and CTA will be her first client.

Chupka had a prolific tenure at CTA and is widely recognized for visualizing and producing the association’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the most influential technology event in the world and one of the biggest trade shows in the U.S.

“I’m thankful for the 33 years at CTA/CES,” Chupka told Trade Show News Network (TSNN). “I worked with a world-class team, I got to travel the globe and meet talented entrepreneurs, and I got to see first-hand how technology is solving some of society’s biggest challenges.”

Joining the association in 1989 as a registration assistant, Chupka quickly climbed the ranks, moving into senior vice president, executive vice president and chief strategy officer roles. During her time at CTA, her responsibilities included everything from heading marketing and overseeing membership to running all of CES, cultivating strategic relationships, identifying business opportunities and representing the organization in industry forums.

“Karen has accomplished many things for CES and for other parts of the association,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of CTA. “She is a co-founder of who we are today, and her wisdom is imbued in our culture.”

Shapiro pointed to some of her accomplishments at CTA, such as launching its wireless division, expanding CTA’s membership and being the visionary for CTA’s overall strategy.

“Karen also created our Unveiled events, expanded our European presence, launched CES Asia, helped create Eureka Park and shifted us to digital during COVID,” Shapiro said. “We will miss Karen as a CTA executive but expect to stay close to her as a consultant to our organization.”

Chupka’s last day with CTA will be Dec. 13. She plans to launch Chupka Consulting in 2023, with a focus on marketing, strategic planning and events.

Chupka is one of the recipients of this year’s TSNN Awards, which celebrates success and innovation in the events industry. She will be honored with the Industry Icon Award on Nov. 9 at the TSNN Awards ceremony, taking place at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas.

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