CES® by the Consumer Technology Association: Why You Should Attend

CES® is the defining event of the consumer technology industry, owned and produced by the Consumer Technology AssociationTM (CTA). This annual event is a massive showcase of consumer-oriented tech, with thousands of exhibitors and more than 100,000 attendees. In addition to the exhibition, there’s a wide array of CES conference education sessions, comprising dozens of hours of content. In 2023 the event will run from January 5 to January 8. It’s based at the Las Vegas Convention Center, with additional venues nearby, totaling nearly 3 million square feet of exhibit space.

In 2023 CES will partner with the World Academy of Art and Science to showcase the ways in which technology helps the world deal with its most pressing problems. The 2023 theme, “Human Security for All,” will highlight the critical role technology plays in support of the United Nations and its efforts to advance human security and improve human lives.

Why Exhibit at CES?

Attending any industry event represents the chance to meet and mingle with top experts in your field and connect with potential leads and customers. This major tech event boasts a huge number of attendees and a significant media presence, and the opportunities here are almost unparalleled.

For instance, there’s the potential for hitting it big on social media. CES has massive media reach: In 2022 over 3,100 members of the press attended, representing 1,665 media outlets. Collectively, the press generated over 177,000 media stories.

For startups, there’s another great reason to exhibit at CES: Eureka Park. It’s a subsection of the exhibit hall that’s set aside specifically for startups. The cost to exhibit is reduced, which means you have the chance to get your brand and products in front of a potentially massive audience, not to mention all the media attention.

Finally, there’s the fact that since the first CES in 1967, thousands of new products have been debuted—many of which have since changed the way we live. Innovations in A/V and consumer electronics, digital and computer equipment, and wearable technology have all made their marks. When you debut at this event, you’re in illustrious and historic company.

In 2022 alone:

  • Sony revealed its new-and-improved PlayStation 5 graphics and 3D audio.
  • Rendever promoted a new VT fitness platform for seniors.
  • Engineered Arts debuted Ameca, a humanoid robot.
  • Yummy Future announced the development of a robotic coffee shop, entirely operated and staffed by AI-powered machines.
  • And much more

Who Attends CES?

  • CES returned in 2022 after a two-year hiatus—a smaller event than in previous years, but no less exciting for its reduced size. CES 2022 featured: 44,400 attendees at the Las Vegas venue, plus 40,100 virtual attendees.
  • 32% of live and 28% of virtual attendees are from outside the U.S.
  • 144 countries, territories, and regions are represented.
  • 3,182 members of the press are in attendance, representing 1,665 media outlets.
  • 2,279 exhibitors attended, including 716 domestic and 1,563 international exhibitors.
  • 886 startups from 19 countries were featured in Eureka Park.
  • The keynote received 1.7 million social media views.
  • There were 105 conference sessions, with over 73 hours of CES conference programming.

Attendees come from a wide range of organizations, including retailers, advertising and marketing, business services, engineering, R&D, travel and hospitality, non-profit, and investors. They are:

  • Analysts
  • Buyers
  • Creative professionals
  • Engineers
  • Managers/store managers/product managers
  • Manufacturers’ representatives
  • Production technicians
  • Systems installers/integrators
  • Trainers/Educators

CES 2023 Lineup

Each year CES hosts hundreds of keynotes, featured speakers, and conference sessions on a huge array of topics dealing with emerging technology and key industry trends. With this content, CES conference tracks highlight how innovations in sustainability, transport and mobility, digital health, the metaverse, and more are being used to address the world’s most challenging issues.

Keynote addresses, speakers, and the conference program for the next year’s event is announced in the fall. Keep an eye on the CES website for more information.

One exciting confirmation is the first keynote speaker announcement: John May, Chairman and CEO of John Deere, will speak on how sustainability and technology are addressing the challenge of feeding the world’s populations. This marks the first time in CES that an executive from an agriculture technology company will give a keynote on the main stage.

CES 2023 will also explore ways in which technology revolutionizes how people connect. New categories for education tracks and content include:

pandora sound booths trade show exhibit

The Indy Autonomous Challenge Will Return for 2023!

For 2022 attendees, the inaugural Indy Autonomous Challenge was a major attraction. The IAC was the world’s first head-to-head autonomous racecar competition, and this exciting event is back for 2023. It’s happening at the Las Vegas Speedway on Saturday, January 7, and all CES attendees are welcome to attend.

CES Exhibitor Topic Areas

CES is a global event that brings together companies of all sizes, from every major industry, from over 100 countries all over the world. In 2023 featured exhibitor topic areas include:

  • 3D printing
  • Accessibility
  • Accessories
  • AI/robotics
  • Audio/video
  • C-Space
  • Digital health
  • Enterprise
  • Financial technology
  • Gaming/metaverse
  • Internet of Things infrastructure
  • Smart homes
  • Space tech
  • Sports tech
  • Sustainability
  • Vehicle tech & advanced mobility

What Should Your Booth Design Focus On?

CES is about showcasing consumer products, but it’s also about making a splash. With thousands of exhibiting companies, including some of the world’s biggest tech companies and entertainment brands, the competition is not just fierce, it’s savage. If you’re hoping to exhibit at CES, it’s vital to accept this reality. Featured exhibitors in 2023 include Amazon, BOSCH, Canon, Google, John Deere, Microsoft, Mercedes-Benz, Sony, and more.

Getting attention is your primary concern, so your booth needs to be bolder and more visually compelling than your competition.

  • Use light to help your booth stand out – Remember, light doesn’t mean your trade show display looks like a carnival sideshow. If you want to present a more refined image, consider lights in one or two colors rather than a multi-colored effect.
  • Make your booth experiential – Give your visitors a multi-sensory experience that allows them to interact with your products as they get to know your brand.
  • Develop product demos that let visitors get hands-on and allow them to visualize real-world applications.
  • If you’re exhibiting as a startup and you don’t have products ready, work with your developers to build models that mimic the experience of using your products.
  • Use digital technology to provide an immersive experience – Make your booth feel like a world apart from the rest of the show floor. For instance, an LED video wall can be used to create a huge display that gives the feeling of being in a new environment.
  • Take advantage of additional opportunities, such as the CES Innovation Awards, which are open to individuals and organizations that design, engineer, manufacture, or promote consumer technology products. If you qualify, entering a product can raise your brand’s profile.

Another thing that’s important to keep in mind is that due to the high media presence, it’s more than customers you need to impress. If you have an interesting story to tell, the potential to get covered by the press is huge! If you’re hoping to make a media splash, put together a press kit with a press release, company information, and other essentials.

Perfect Trade Show Press Release

CES Means You Go Big or Go Home!

The CES conference is the biggest tech show of the year, well-attended by the industry’s movers and shakers. If you’re a smaller company or just starting out, it may feel impossible to get any attention, but with a great product and a well-designed booth, you’re definitely in with a chance.

If you’re planning to exhibit at CES, your products are the most important asset you’ll have at the show. But your trade show booth is important too. A great exhibit helps you attract visitors and gets your products seen. It makes good sense to choose a trade show exhibit company that knows what they’re doing and that’s familiar with the venue. Venue knowledge plus local industry contacts puts you in the best possible position to make a big impression at the show.

Contact us to learn how we can help you bring in more leads at CES.
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