CTA Would ‘Never Do Anything That Endangers’ CES Goers, Says Yacoubian

SVS Sound CEO Gary Yacoubian credits CTA for its "very thoughtful approach” to the safety in scheduling CES 2021 as a physical show amid the pandemic, he told us. Yacoubian, a former CTA chairman, is back on its executive board. “So take this with a grain of salt,” he said. CTA is “looking at every way they can to protect the health and safety” of attendees, said Yacoubian. “I’m optimistic that if there is a CES -- and it’s all systems go at this time -- it will be safe.” It won't be “as well-attended” as in previous years, he said. Many products “in our space need to be physically experienced,” said Yacoubian. “They’re not just ideas you can experience in theory.” With all physical shows canceled with COVID-19, “I can’t imagine a CES that’s more needed by our industry, by the tech world.” CTA would “never do anything that endangers people,” said Yacoubian.