The mammoth CES trade show will be back in Las Vegas in January 2022, following a one-year hiatus caused by the pandemic. CES went all virtual instead this past January, which despite the best efforts by the Consumer Technology Association, couldn't come close to replicating the experience of being there in person.
I felt the void myself but it wasn't all bad. I certainly didn't miss the long plane rides, long taxi lines, and lack of sleep.
The event will run from January 5 through the 8th, with “media days” to commence a couple of days earlier.
“We’re thrilled to return to Las Vegas – home to CES for more than 40 years – and look forward to seeing many new and returning faces,” said CTA president and CEO Gary Shapiro in a press release issued Wednesday. “Hundreds of executives have told us how much they need CES to meet new and existing customers, find partners, reach media and discover innovation.”
According to the release, some 1,000 companies have committed to returning, including tech heavyweights Amazon, AMD, AT&T, Daimler AG, Dell, Google, Hyundai, IBM, Intel, Lenovo, LG Electronics, Panasonic, Qualcomm, Samsung Electronics and Sony.
The CTA will provide digital coverage options for people and companies still skittish about attending in person.
It will indeed be interesting to see if the crowds come back; CES 2020 featured more than 4,400 exhibitors and over 171,000 attendees from around the world, including around 6,500 members of the media.
Which leads to this: Assuming no major setbacks with Covid, will you make the pilgrimage to Las Vegas for CES in January, and how do you feel about traveling to other major industry shindigs between now and then?
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