Executive Compensation at the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)

The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) is a tax-exempt, non-profit trade association (a 501 (c) 6, representing more than 2,200 consumer technology companies in the US consumer technology industry. Based in Arlington, VA, CTA promotes the common business interests of members engaged with the manufacture, sale, and distribution of consumer technology products.

The governing board of CTA has 13 voting members, all of whom are independent. 14 directors are listed on the Form 990 (2018) of which 12 (86%) are male while 2 (14%) are female.

In 2018, CTA reported total revenue of $126 million (compared to $120 million in 2017), most of which ($114 million) came from CES, the annual trade show showcasing new products and technologies in the consumer electronics industry, organized by CTA.  Only $5 million came from membership dues.

Expenses totaled $109 million in 2018 with the three largest expenses being conferences and travel ($37 million), compensation ($31 million), and fees for services ($23 million).

At year-end 2018, CTA had $196 million in net assets (up from $192 million at the beginning of the year). Historically, CTA’s expenses have been significantly lower than revenue resulting in the organization having nearly $200 million in net assets. It is important to note CES did not have an in-person convention in Las Vegas in 2021 due to the Covid pandemic so it is unclear what the effect on CTA will be since their main source of revenue is the CES annual trade show.

CTA reported having 243 employees in 2018 who received $31 million in compensation, which equates to an average compensation of $128,000.  78 employees received more than $100,000 in compensation with the 9 most highly compensated employees reported to be:

• $3,380,500:  Gary Shapiro, President and CEO
• $  889,699:  Glenda MacMullin, Treasurer
• $  784,064:  Michael Perticone, SVP, Gov’t Affairs
• $  767,724:  Karen Chupka, Secretary
• $  600,848:  Brian Markwalter, SVP, Research and Standards
• $  474,409:  Tiffany Moore, SVP, Political and Industry
• $  462,839:  Jean Foster, SVP, Marketing and Communications
• $  424,173:  Denise Medved, VP, Sales and Business Development
• $  345,357:  Shari Sally, Director, CES Sales

The nine most highly compensated employees received more than $8 million in compensation. 6 of the 9 (67%) most highly compensated employees are female while 3 of the 9 (33%) are male.  It is important to point out that at the end of the day, the primary source of revenue is the annual trade show (for which this organization does not pay taxes on). So, this non-profit’s executives are paid millions of dollars for putting on a trade show.

CTA paid for companion travel. No other detail is provided.

For information on the deferred compensation plan, see the Form 990, Schedule J, Part III, Supplemental Information.

148 independent contractors received more than $100,000 in compensation with the five most highly compensated reported to be:

• $10.0 million:  Venetian Las Vegas, of Las Vegas, NV for CES exhibit space
• $ 6.6 million:  Freeman Decorating, of Dallas, TX for contracting for CES
• $ 3.4 million:  Living in Digital Times, of Coster, NJ for contracting for CES
• $ 3.0 million:  Las Vegas Convention Visitors Authority, of Las Vegas, NV for CES exhibit space
• $ 2.9 million:  RPMS Inc, of North Kingstown, RI for transportation services

To read the IRS Form 990 (2018), click here.