Just as tech companies are gearing up for CES 2022, a scary new variant of Covid-19 threatens to hang over the annual consumer electronics show.
The Consumer Technology Association is returning to Las Vegas for an in-person CES conference in early January after canceling this year’s physical show because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
CES 2021 was an all-digital event. CES 2022 will be a hybrid event with an in-person show plus a digital component for industry professionals and media who can’t or won’t attend the show.
On Friday, the World Health Organization designated the omicron strain of the coronavirus a “variant of concern.” South African scientists said the variant is behind a recent spike in Covid-19 infections in the country’s most populous province, according to the Associated Press.
The conference industry has struggled to return to normal since the Covid-19 pandemic began in early 2020.
On Nov. 1-4, about 40,000 people attended the Web Summit in Lisbon, Portugal. Last year’s event was held online because of the pandemic. (See articles by DW and Fast Company.)
However, on Nov. 23, broadcasting technology show IBC canceled its December in-person event as the Covid-19 situation worsened in the Netherlands. The event was due to take place at the RAI in Amsterdam Dec. 3-6. (See articles by Variety and the Hollywood Reporter.)
CES organizers have signed up over 1,700 exhibitors for the 2022 show and “tens of thousands” of registered attendees so far. The last in-person CES, in 2020, attracted 4,419 exhibitors and 171,268 attendees.
CES 2022 will take place Jan. 5-8 with pre-show media events starting Jan. 3. Attendees must have proof of Covid-19 vaccination. They also likely will have to wear masks inside and on public transportation.
Related articles:
CES 2022 will be half the usual size, but at least it’s in person (VentureBeat; Nov. 24, 2021)
CES 2022 to Have Smaller Footprint, Fewer Attendees (Media Play News; Nov. 18, 2021)
Digital CES Component Here to Stay as ‘Almost a CES Bonus’ (Consumer Electronics Daily; Nov. 15, 2021)
CES 2022 will be a rebuilding year (Tech-media-tainment; Oct. 30, 2021)
Will Covid-19 pandemic loom over CES 2022? (Tech-media-tainment; Oct. 9, 2021)
Photo: The anchor desk from the all-digital CES 2021. (Consumer Technology Association)
No comments:
Post a Comment