CES 2021 was set to be an in-person show next January, but today it's been revealed that plans are changing.
The Consumer Technology Association, the group that puts on CES each year, said today that CES 2021 will now be an all-digital show. The show will take place during the first week of January next year and will offer a "new immersive experience," the CTA says.
Last month, the CTA said that it was planning on hosting an in-person CES 2021 event in Las Vegas in January. There would be extra precautions in place to try and keep attendees safe and healthy, including regular cleaning and sanitization, wider aisles to enable social distancing, and setting best practices like mask wearing and avoiding hand shaking.
The coronavirus pandemic is still a serious issue in the US, though, and even though CES 2021 is still five months away, there likely still would have been quite a few people who chose not to get on a plane and fly to a major event like CES.
"Amid the pandemic and growing global health concerns about the spread of COVID-19, it's just not possible to safely convene tens of thousands of people in Las Vegas in early January 2021 to meet and do business in person,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of CTA.
"Technology helps us all work, learn and connect during the pandemic — and that innovation will also help us reimagine CES 2021 and bring together the tech community in a meaningful way," Shaprio added. "By shifting to an all-digital platform for 2021, we can deliver a unique experience that helps our exhibitors connect with existing and new audiences."
The CTA is planning to host a show in Las Vegas for CES 2020 that will combine "the best elements of a physical and digital show".