ARLINGTON, Virginia. — The Consumer Technology Association (CTA)creates a more contactless participant experience forCES® 2023January 5-8, 2023 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Measures taken by the association include increased fresh airflow and filtration systems, hand sanitizing stations, and the addition of contactless check-in and payment systems.
CES® is the world’s most influential technology eventand expects 2,000 exhibitors from 158 countries and 100,000 participants, which would make it the largest independently audited post-pandemic tech event.
Gary Shapiro, CTA president and CEO, says the contactless initiative makes perfect sense in the current environment.“I would ban handshakes if I could. I try to set an example by giving a fist bump or an elbow bump, or with some people, by hugging them,” he said. “But even I have a hard time refusing a hand extended with good intentions.”
“It is our obligation as trade show organizers to take steps to reduce the transmission of disease,” he added. “Infectious diseases are spread by contact or through the air. By emphasizing fresh air and ventilation and reducing the need for people to touch door handles, we should reduce the risk of people coming to events getting sick.”
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The many initiatives include increasing airflow in venue ventilation systems, including the Las Vegas Convention Center, Venetian Expo and ARIA, and opening exterior doors to allow fresh air circulation; installing touchless hand sanitizing units throughout all facilities; using touchless badge printing and payment systems for on-site check-in, food and beverage outlets and business centers; and ensuring that sinks, restrooms and paper towel dispensers are touchless. In addition, cleaning protocols will be implemented, including disinfecting all microphones and shared audiovisual equipment between uses and cleaning all restrooms, handrails and doors throughout the day.
“This is common sense for event organizers,” Shapiro said. “We’ve all been through some tough years and my takeaway for the future is that we can keep our doors open for the success of the industry by keeping our doors open for shows. We appreciate all the support and health measures that the venues in Las Vegas are taking, but we all have to do our part.”
A complete list of to implementManagement measures can be found atCES 2023 health protocols.
Contact Gary Shapiro at(703) 907-7600Orgshapiro@cta.tech