For organizers, there was no question that CES, one of the most famous technology events in the world, would revert to a personal format as soon as the pandemic allowed it.
This year’s virtual event was seen as a success, drawing more than 100,000 attendees in both live and on-demand broadcasts. However, according to Karen Chupka, director of CES at the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), the transition to a purely digital format has stolen the show’s heart and soul.
“There are many reasons exhibitors and attendees come to CES in person, but chance plays an important role,” she told TechRadar Pro. “People come to the show with a specific goal, meet someone and leave with a new idea, a new customer or a new business partner.”
“That was the most important feedback we received after the virtual CES at the beginning of the year. People missed the random interactions that just can’t be replicated online. “
Fortunately, January 2022 CES will make a triumphant return to Las Vegas, with a greater physical presence than ever.
A new hybrid format
While Chupka and the rest of the CTA were keen to return to Vegas for CES 2022, the event will feel a little different from its last pre-pandemic edition and take on a new hybrid form based on the best of face-to-face and virtual events .
As part of this agreement, some of the meetings and key product announcements will be streamed online and there will also be some interaction with the virtual audience.
As in this year, the sessions will also be uploaded to an on-demand streaming service and will remain available for one month after the event has ended. This was one of the key takeaways from CES 2021, according to Chupka: attendees, normally forced to choose which sessions to attend, could consume as much of the show as they wanted.
“The digital event allowed us to achieve some goals that we had been thinking about for a while, such as connecting people from all over the world to what is happening at CES,” said Chupka.
“For the 2022 event, we look forward to attracting a digital audience and involving them in the sessions of the physical show. We want to use the hybrid format as a tool to connect more people and attract new target groups. “
A prototype vehicle can be seen at CES. (Image credit: CTA)
The digital platform also enables participants and exhibitors to arrange virtual appointments with one another, similar to the physical trade fair. Similarly, companies can set time slots for video conferencing with online participants and simulate booth interactions.
As for the in-person event, CES 2022 will be the largest ever in terms of physical footprint, entering the Las Vegas Convention Center’s West Hall for the first time, spanning a whopping 1.4 million square feet.
According to Chupka, this area will be used to showcase the latest developments in the automotive sector, particularly with a focus on electric and autonomous vehicles. Around 180 exhibitors have currently registered to use the additional space.
In total, with the recent lifting of US travel restrictions, the CTA expects more than 1,500 companies from around the world to be physically present at the show.
What new technology can we expect?
As always, CES 2022 will act as a platform for showcasing the latest (and weirdest) technology across a wide variety of categories, which should mean the show has a flavor of its own for attendees, both physically and virtually.
Major new categories include non-fungible tokens (NFTs), space technology, and food technology, Chupka said. And sustainability-related products will also have a large presence.
The common thread that connects these new priorities is a sharp rise in profile during the pandemic. NFTs, a kind of blockchain-based digital collector’s item, have exploded since the turn of the year and continue to cause a stir, while exploits by Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic, and SpaceX have fueled the debate about the viability and ethics of space tourism.
The importance of food delivery and ordering systems during the pandemic lockdown has also put food technology in the spotlight, Chupka noted. And sustainability remains high on the agenda as companies look for creative new ways to meet climate commitments.
“With technology changing our lives in so many different ways, there is more content for us than ever,” said Chupka. “And we are happy to be here again.”
