CES 2021 in Las Vegas is cancelled; event moves online

Enlarge / Nevermind. (credit: CTA)

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) took place just before the coronavirus hit in early 2020, but that won't be the case in 2021. Today, the show's organizer, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), announced that CES 2021 in Las Vegas is canceled. The show will become an online-only event.

CES 2021 was scheduled to take place in early January, but with the terrible pandemic response in the US, the CTA doesn't think the country will be ready to host international events by next year. CTA president and CEO Gary Shapiro sent out an email with the now all-too-familiar COVID cancellation language. "Amid the pandemic and growing global health concerns about the spread of COVID-19," Shapiro wrote, "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."

Shapiro said CES 2021 is "shifting to an all-digital platform for 2021" and offering "a unique experience that helps our exhibitors connect with existing and new audiences." On its website, the CTA claims it will offer a rough online equivalent to the three major pillars of CES: "Keynotes and conferences," "Product showcases," and "Meetings and networking."

Read 3 remaining paragraphs | Comments