CES 2021 Convention Goes All Digital
CTA or the Consumer Technology Association has announced that the CES 2021 convention for next year will now be an “all-digital experience.” Amid the pandemic, it is not a good idea to have an in person event with more than 50 people, much less 170,000.
A virtual show will now be what is offered to exhibitors, buyers, sellers, media, analysts, and industry associates. It is currently scheduled to take place from January 6 – 9, 2021. The new event will showcase new products, inventions, services and prototypes via live streaming video feeds. It will be different, but hopefully the connections with exhibitors can still be made.
“Amid the pandemic and growing global health concerns about the spread of COVID-19, it’s just not possible to safely convene tens of thousands of people in Las Vegas, in early January 2021 to meet and do business in person,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CTA. “Technology helps us all work, learn, and connect during the pandemic – and that innovation will also help us reimagine CES 2021 and bring together the tech community in a meaningful way. By shifting to an all-digital platform for 2021, we can deliver a unique experience that helps our exhibitors connect with existing and new audiences.”
More information regarding details to how all of this will work should be revealed by the CTA in the coming months. At this point in years past, I would have already registered for CES. Registration is going to be different and those attending will also.
Millions of people are out of work around the globe, which means many that had attended CES this year will not make it next year for various reasons. The people in public relations for the companies who will be exhibiting digitally will have their work cut out for them.
I have been attending CES for decades, and I will be sure to sign up for the one in 2021. I am hoping that the ever-important “collisions,” those serendipitous meetings, will still occur at future events. For the exhibitors to have a successful virtual CES 2021, they will need to heavily rely on their past relationships with the media.