CES attendance last week hits pre-downturn levels

(AP) -- Attendance at the tech industry's premier gadget show has rebounded to pre-downturn levels.

The Consumer Electronics Association is reporting that more than 140,000 people attended the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas last week. The group had expected roughly 126,000.

More than 2,700 companies showed off the laptops, tablet computers, televisions, cameras and other goods they expect to sell this year.

Attendance has dwindled in recent years, as consumers have been less willing to splurge on luxuries such as the latest and greatest tech toys. In 2009, the number of attendees shrunk to 113,085, followed by 126,641 in 2010.

It peaked in in 2006, with 152,203 visitors. In the years leading up to the downturn, interest remained strong. More than 140,000 people attended in both 2007 and 2008.

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