Microsoft's CEO, Steve Ballmer has kicked off CES with the keynote speech for the past three years, a role inherited from former CEO Bill Gates who has spoken at the event for several years before him.
As of next year Microsoft will no longer present the keynote, nor will they have a stall at the show according to an announcement which was made by Frank Shaw, Microsoft's Communications VP.
The reason behind them dropping out is that their product cycles don't align with the annual event. With Microsoft lately trying a more Apple like approach with their products, this is no surprise.
We should probably expect to see Microsoft hosted events in future where the company's innovations and technology products are demonstrated.
source - Microsoft