The Consumer Electronics Show officially kicks off Monday but we hit the ground Saturday for a host of pre-show events and conferences. I’ll be joined this year by our new mocoNews contributor Carlo Longino, who actually lives in Las Vegas so has the easiest trip of all. You may recall a “save the date” post about a CES mixer; year-end logistics got in the way but we are a co-sponsor of the new Content@CES Pavilion in the central hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Exhibitors include EchoStar (NSDQ: DISH), Intel (NSDQ: INTC), Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT), Motorola (NYSE: MOT), Panasonic, Philips, Samsung, Sony (NYSE: SNE), Toshiba and TV Guide. (Those of you who remember my first CES as executive editor of paidContent back in 2005 especially will understand the kind of growth that represents.) More in extended entry…

So what can we expect this year? Last year, content players starred with Disney’s (NYSE: DIS) Bob Iger and CBS’s (NYSE: CBS) Leslie Moonves as keynoters. For 2008, the closest we get to a content keynote is Comcast (NSDQ: CMCSA) chairman and CEO Brian Roberts Tuesday morning although music, gaming and video are likely to play leading roles in the annual Bill Gates pre-show vision Sunday evening. Other keynotes include Paul Otellini, president and CEO, Intel; Toshihiro Sakamoto, president, Panasonic AVC Networks Company; and Rick Wagoner, chairman and CEO, General Motors. But CES is like the Ronco of trade shows—the opportunities don’t stop there. Yahoo (NSDQ: YHOO) CEO Jerry Yang and FCC Chairman Kevin Martin are among those making “special” appearances, while   various panels feature a ton of usual suspects from mobile, media and entertainment. Celebs we probably won’t have a chance to see include Yoko Ono, Mary J. Blige, Kevin Costner (with his band). We can’t be everywhere but we’ll hit as much of what matters as we can.

I’ll be based at The Venetian Saturday through midday Wednesday. My schedule is jamming up but try me at staci AT paidcontent.org—actual breaking news, pointers for truly cool gadget gazing and party invites always welcome. If you aren’t going, please leave a note in the comments about what most piques your interest.