The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) announced that CES 2021 will not be held as an in-person event, but rather as a digital event, due to COVID-19.
“An all-digital CES 2021 will allow the entire tech community to safely share ideas and introduce the products that will shape our future,” it said.
The digital event will include a product showcase as well as keynote speeches, conferences and “meetings and networking.”
The event will be held January 6-9.
CTA CEO Gary Shapiro said:
“When our executive board met last week and discussed this issue, we were driven by one mandate – to do the right thing. This mandate is right not only for our industry and its people, but for our nation and the world. We did not make our decision on financial or legal grounds, but on what is right.
We concluded it is simply not possible to safely gather over 100,000 people indoors with a raging COVID-19 virus and no real hope for a tested and widely available vaccine by January. The world does not need more COVID-19 cases, and we decided we would do our part by ensuring we are not helping spread the disease.
Instead, we commit to producing the best possible global digital innovation event. We will spread the gospel of 5G, artificial intelligence, self-driving vehicles and new forms of mobility, digital and telehealth, resilience, robotics, drones, new forms of entertainment, 8K Ultra HD screens and smart TVs to the curious, entrepreneurs, investors, business and media who can access the best of CES from their homes and offices.”
CES 2020 attracted over 170,000 attendees.
Maybe I’m the crazy one, but I’m completely fine with this. Honestly, I’d rather CES and SEMA be every other year. More changes to be seen. Make it more worth my money and time.