CES 2021 Goes All-Virtual; ‘Just Not Possible to Safely Convene’ Physical Show

CTA will move CES 2021 to an all-virtual event on Jan. 6-9 from a physical show at the Las Vegas Convention Center, said the association Tuesday.

"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 CTA CEO Gary Shapiro. “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.”

As of Monday night, the annual tech show's website had said that "CES 2021 will be a smaller show" than in the past. Fewer people can travel, "and many of our smaller and international exhibitors will not be able to travel."

CES 2021, as a physical event with its 170,000 or more attendees, is the biggest trade show to drop from the pandemic.