Digital CES Component Here to Stay

The digital component of CES will extend beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, said Jean Foster, CTA senior vice president-marketing and communications, at CES Unveiled New York. “When you actually allow people to join digitally, we can reach many, many more people, so that will be an ongoing part of the show" (see 2110260044). The pandemic forced the trade show industry to “try something different; we had to,” said CES Executive Vice President Karen Chupka Wednesday: But the value of a trade show remains “serendipity -- walking the halls and seeing new companies.” Some 1,600 companies “and counting” are exhibiting, she said. Though that’s fewer than the 4,400 at CES 2020, 1,600 is "a lot of companies to sift through on a digital platform,” she said. All CES attendees must show proof of vaccination. CTA President Gary Shapiro and Chupka said they weren’t aware of any invited keynoters who declined to participate in CES due to the vaccine requirement. A few tech executives opted out due to the vaccine requirement “because they had medical reasons,” Shapiro said. See FAQs.