International Consumer Electronics Show 2015
The International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this year was the biggest one yet. CEA mentioned in an email that there were more than 2.2 million net square feet of exhibit space and 3,600+ exhibitors. The amount of startups at CES this year was record breaking as well. 170,000 plus industry pros were in attendance with 45,000 of them from outside of the USA. ShowStoppers at the Wynn Las Vegas had many of the coolest startups and products that are due out this and next year. The Sands Convention Center hosted a nice set of exhibitors that reinvigorated my excitement for the show overall. Then there was the growing number of major car brands showcasing their version of the connected car. Everything combined to be one of my favorite shows in recent memory.
It used to be that the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center was THE spot to meet with startups and check out their products. This year, some of that changed to the Sands Convention Center. Health trackers, smart wearables, 3D printers and home automation tech lined the aisles. Some of the products being demonstrated are either available now, like the MetaWatch M1 Core and Withings Pulse O2, or should be shipping by the 2015 holiday season.
Ken Block Hoonigan Ford Mustang at CES 2015
Ford Motor Company CES 2015 Booth Tour
The North Hall this year was home to a larger group of car brands such as the Ford Motor Company and a car automation company called Valeo. Ford had multiple zones to checkout, including their SYNC 3 setup. Valeo was mostly based in the Gold Lot showcasing their autonomous driving system.
Valeo Autonomous Vehicle System at CES 2015
BMW i8 Ride Along at CES 2015
Parrot Bebop Drone Synchronized Flight at CES 2015
Central, Upper and Lower South Halls had all of the recognizable top brands like Sony, Monster, Cannon, Nikon, Samsung, LG, Parrot and more. There were even a few smaller Chinese companies showing off Apple Watch looking “smartwatches.”
DJI Inspire 1 Drone Flight
CES is also a great time when friends from social media fly in from around the world. I look forward to meeting up with them at events and in sky-high penthouses. Lenovo, Tech Cocktail and Yo hosted two of my favorite CES after events this year. Lenovo and Tech Cocktail threw a yearly party with music, drinks and tasty food in the Venetian Las Vegas at AquaKnox. Yo hosted a multi-day penthouse party atop the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas with a north facing view of the Bellagio fountains. I hope that CES 2016 is as fun and productive as it was this year for 24kMedia.
Thanks to Gogo, Lumia and Netgear for hosting enjoyable brand dinners during CES.
24kMedia’s Title Sponsor this year during CES 2015 was the Renaissance Las Vegas, see the post about the hotel.