Overcoming Challenges and Reaching Common Objectives for Our Society's Longevity [President's Message]

D uring my more than 24 years of IEEE service, I have been actively engaged as a volunteer serving IEEE Members with a proven record of accomplishments serving in several posts throughout all IEEE levels (Institute, Region, Society, Section, Chapter, Affinity Group, and Student Branch). It is a great honor and privilege (with a great responsibility) for me to serve as the 20th president of the IEEE Consumer Electronics Society (CESoc). In 2019, the CESoc will celebrate its 36th anniversary (or 43rd anniversary, since it was first part of the IEEE Broadcast, Cable, and CESoc). I will succeed and benefit from the great efforts and achievements of my predecessor presidents, Board of Governors (BoG) and committee members, volunteer leaders, members, and staff during the past 35 years. Therefore, I would like to thank them, and I profoundly appreciate their devotion and service to the CESoc. Also, I would especially like to thank my immediate predecessor, Past-President Sharon Peng, for her great leadership of the CESoc and outstanding services during her tenure (2015–2018). I would also like to thank senior Past-Presidents Stefan Mozar (2013–2014) and Stephen Dukes (2010–2012) for their exemplary service and leadership to the Society. The CE industry has experienced constant growth as a result of the dynamics and continuous advancement and rapid changes of CE technology and the global demand for smart devices and systems, such as augmented reality with mobile computing, the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, blockchain, smart TV, smartphones, games, autonomous cars, smart cities, etc. All of these rapid and dynamic changes have an impact on our CESoc, and we must strive to be the premier technical association in the CE industry and work toward the advancement of the theory and practice of electronic engineering. Unfortunately, the CESoc has recently faced many challenges: decrease in membership, conference revenue losses, decrease in CESoc Chapter activities, and lack of engagement with industry. To ensure the CESoc remains the leading technical, practical, and multidisciplinary society in CE, I, along with the CESoc BoG and dedicated volunteers, will tackle and solve these challenges by focusing and working on the following areas: Increase VIsIbIlIty and Value of the cesoc ▼ Increase prominence and visibility of the CESoc within industry and academia, other societies, and professional organizations and among the media, as the voice for technical professionals who can enhance understanding of CE technology for societal betterment ▼ position the CESoc to provide technical leadership in response to the needs of a rapidly changing industry ▼ increase CESoc participation and service to humanity.