LAS VEGAS – More than 2,300 exhibitors gathered in Las Vegas from January 5-7, including 800 startups from 19 countries. In total, 160 countries were represented at CES 2022.
“We know this CES will be different,” said Gary Shapiro, president of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), at the show’s opening ceremony.
Different, yes, and impactful.
“With innovations in AI, digital health, transportation, drones, smart cities, digital assets, space technology and so much more, these technologies are making us better, enhancing what we, as humans, are capable of doing,” Shapiro said.
In response to a surge in Omicron cases, CES ended a day early, but business continued to be conducted at the January 5-7 event.
The move away from physical attendance at this year’s CES by companies like Amazon and AT&T has garnered significant media coverage. However, major brands like Canon, Panasonic, Samsung, and healthcare giant Abbott have exhibited, demonstrating the importance and priority placed on face-to-face contact and in-person experiences. Serving as the backbone of the industry, the number of small and medium-sized businesses has grown as they have taken advantage of the opportunity to exhibit in person.
“For more than half a century, the technology industry has relied on CES to meet new customers, find investors, reach members of the media, connect with industry leaders and discover new innovations,” said Karen Chupka, executive vice president of CES.
Bookings for the 2022 show are now underway and include many major brands.
“The energy was palpable in the startup area, Eureka Village,” said Gabrielle Weiss, vice president and editor-in-chief of TSE. “I interviewed many of these small startups who were not only grateful for the opportunities CES 2022 gave them to showcase their innovations, but also for the momentum they got from their investment. It’s clear that a lot of business was done at the show.”
CES Video
Mitigation Management
To demonstrate mitigation management—not containment methodology—regarding COVID safety concerns, all attendees and exhibitors were required to wear masks and be fully vaccinated against the virus. CES organizers also encouraged attendees to get tested for COVID-19 before arriving and were provided with a complimentary test kit made by Abbott Laboratories, whose CEO Robert Ford delivered a captivating keynote address.
Related. CES 2022 Adds Free Rapid Testing to Robust COVID Mitigation Program
Those unable to make it to Las Vegas for CES 2022 had the opportunity to join the event digitally. Digital registration provided access to over 40 live conference sessions, keynote addresses, select Media Days press conferences, and the opportunity to interact with CES exhibitors.
The world has taken notice of how CTA has delivered CES. “By hosting an influential live event that safely brings together thousands of professionals from around the world across technology, business, and politics, CES is nothing short of a model for how business events can and should happen in 2022. We sincerely hope that other business event organizers will follow suit this year,” said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the US Travel Association. “Gary Shapiro and his team at CTA are to be commended for meeting today’s challenges while ensuring attendees can build meaningful relationships and plan for the future of technology. The success of this year’s CES will help drive the recovery of business travel overall and related industries.” But critically, it creates jobs for American workers who depend on the safe return of all travel sectors, which accounted for 1 in 10 U.S. jobs before the pandemic.
Contact Gary Shapiro at (703) 907-7600 or [email protected]; Karen Chupka at (703) 907-7600 or [email protected]