After a number of firms cancelled on-site plans completely for CES subsequent week, the group that runs the present introduced at the moment that the occasion will shut at some point early. The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) mentioned CES 2022 will now run January Fifth-Seventh “as an extra security measure to the present well being protocols which have been put in place.” January third and 4th are media-only days when press conferences and keynotes happen.
Protocols embrace masks and proof of vaccination to attend in-person occasions. The CTA additionally just lately introduced that it will present Abbott BinaxNOW COVID-19 checks at badge pickup. The affiliation has requested attendees to finish a fast take a look at 24 hours earlier than coming into a CES venue. If somebody experiences signs whereas in a CES venue, the CTA has suggested them to report back to a primary assist station for testing. The group says it should additionally present PCR checks for any attendees who’re required to have one by their vacation spot previous to departure from Las Vegas.
In the final week, high-profile exhibitors like Amazon, Google, Intel, Lenovo, Meta and extra have cancelled in-person plans for CES 2022. As a part of at the moment’s announcement, the CTA defined that over 2,200 firms will nonetheless showcase their items on the bottom in Vegas, noting that it has added 143 extra within the final two weeks.
CTA CEO Gary Shapiro has defended the choice to maintain the present an in-person occasion because the omicron variant causes COVID-19 case numbers to surge in a number of components of the world. “As the world’s most influential technology event, CES is steadfast in its pledge to be the gathering place to showcase products and discuss ideas that will ultimately make our lives better,” mentioned Shapiro. “We are shortening the show to three days and have put in place comprehensive health measures for the safety of all attendees and participants.” Shapiro has pointed to the smaller firms that depend on the occasion as a possible springboard for merchandise as a key purpose for not cancelling the occasion. CES 2021 was completely digital.
“We will all be taking dangers,” he mentioned in a latest op-ed for the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “But with out threat there is no such thing as a innovation.”