Safely convening in early January in Las Vegas impossible, says CTA’s Gary Shapiro.
ARLINGTON, Va.— The Consumer Electronic Show, the most influential tech event in the world, will be an all-digital experience in 2021, according to the Consumer Technology Association.
In a recent announcement, North America’s largest technology trade association cancelled its initial plans of convening in Las Vegas in January and said it will shift to an all-digital experience instead. This move is a safety measure against the coronavirus, which has been affecting the industry for almost five months.
According to Gary Shapiro, CTA’s president and CEO, it’s impossible to safely convene tens of thousands of people in Las Vegas in January 2021 amidst the pandemic, so the association is turning to technology to bring together the tech community in a meaningful way during the CES 2021.
Shapiro believes that by going all-digital in 2021, the CTA can deliver a unique experience that will help exhibitors connect with existing and new audiences, and introduce products that will shape the future. An all-digital experience will likewise allow the tech community to safely share ideas that will define the future of the tech industry.
The CTA believes that the new format will provide an immersive experience for the attendees as they discover the latest technology and share in the awe-inspiring moments of CES in the comfort of their homes and offices, wherever they are in the world.
CTA also expressed its hopes of returning to Las Vegas for an in-person gathering during the CES 2022, where it plans to combine the best elements of a physical and digital show.
CES 2021 is scheduled on January 6-9. For more information about the event, log on to www.ces.tech.