Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Despite some cancellations, CES gadget show in Vegas still a go, organizers say

CES Gadget Show

John Locher / AP

In this Jan. 7, 2020, file photo, crowds enter the convention center on the first day of the CES tech show, in Las Vegas.

Some exhibitors have backed out of next month’s CES gadget show in Las Vegas because of the pandemic, but the show will go on, the president of the Consumer Technology Association said.

About three dozen exhibitors have canceled in recent days, organizers said.

“We’re going forward,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of the association, which puts on the show. “We’re not going to speculate on what might happen. We’re going to mask, test and require vaccination.”

The cancellations come as the more contagious omicron variant of the coronavirus continues to rapidly spread across the country.

T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert announced Tuesday on social media that the company would “significantly limit” in-person participation in the show.

Amazon is also pulling back from in-person exhibitor events at CES, though it is still expected to have a presence, organizers said.

Meta, formerly Facebook, said today it would not send representatives to Las Vegas for the show.

“We will participate virtually as much as possible and continue to collaborate with the CTA around CES, which remains an important event for Meta, our clients and industry partners,” a statement said.

Shapiro, meanwhile, said he’s still “jazzed” about the show and is looking forward to what exhibitors showcase, particularly in the health care arena.

“For the last month, we’ve had at least 1,000 people register every day, so we’re very excited,” he said. “Omicron has definitely layered onto everything happening, and there is a certain anxiety level for some, but we have a ton of people who are passionate about what CES does for their business.”

Exhibitors are also continuing to sign up for the show, including 61 since Friday, Shapiro said.

“We have had a few high-profile cancelations, but we’ve had many more exhibitors join us in the past month than have left us,” he said.

As of this week, CES officials expect close to 2,200 exhibitors for the show.

CES, which offers a glimpse at some of the latest technology in consumer electronics, is scheduled to take place Jan. 5 to 8 at various locations around Las Vegas.

Much of the show will be in the revamped West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

During a normal year, CES would attract close to 170,000 people, pumping millions of dollars into the Las Vegas economy. Last year, due to the pandemic, the event was virtual.

CES officials are monitoring the health situation regarding the omicron variant, but it would take an extraordinary occurrence to stop in-person events at this point, Shapiro said. All attendees must be vaccinated, and free rapid COVID tests will be available at the show.

“Thousands of companies are relying on us going forward with the show, and thousands of people have made their travel plans,” Shapiro said. “We announced over the summer that we’d require vaccinations for attendees. We’re going to offer free tests at CES. I can say that I will definitely feel more comfortable at CES than I will at my local grocery store.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.