CES 2022 attendance fell 73% to 45K from 2020 numbers. Was it price it?

CES 2022‘s attendance numbers have been battered by the Omicron variant of COVID, with numbers hitting 45,000 attendees and a couple of,300 exhibitors.

The numbers are down from 171,000 attendees and 4,400 exhibitors on the final in-person occasion in January 2020, in accordance with the Consumer Technology Association, the commerce group that places on the present in Las Vegas. There have been 1,800 media, however for the primary time in many years I used to be not amongst them.

The in-person present was canceled in 2021 and moved to on-line solely, however the group made the choice to go ahead with the occasion within the first week of January, regardless of the surge from the coronavirus variant. In a LinkedIn post, CTA CEO Gary Shapiro defended the choice to maneuver ahead. Back in November, Shapiro anticipated perhaps half the standard measurement for the present, however it turned out that Omicron drove it even decrease.

The CTA stood by that call whilst massive firms like Intel, Twitter, and lots of others determined to tug out of the present on the final minute. When these firms pulled out, a variety of my appointments canceled and that made it simpler for me to resolve to withdraw within the final week earlier than the occasion.

But many smaller firms couldn’t try this, as that they had spent some huge cash on their cubicles and couldn’t get refunds on the final minute. One exhibitor informed me that CTA wouldn’t allow them to out of the contract, in order that they determined to not go after which tried to energy by it with a web-based solely presence and a digital sales space.

Shapiro famous that the cancellations by the massive firms turned a “huge media story, amplified by each new departure. Journalists across the Twittersphere expressed their skepticism that an in-person show was possible, and many announced their own intentions — based either on personal conviction or company policy – to cover the show remotely.”

He added, “That narrative shifted dramatically once we got to Las Vegas. On the ground, everyone seemed happy and excited. Exhibitors and attendees had an ‘attitude of gratitude’ that reassured me we’d made the right decision in going forward with the show. In talking to some 100 exhibitors and attendees, I didn’t hear one complaint – despite new requirements for masking and social distancing.”

Shapiro mentioned the staff made choices that exceeded the well being and security necessities for big occasions. In the summer time, the group mentioned it might require vaccinations for all attendees, and later that masking was required for all indoor venues. CES widened aisles, unfold out convention seating to advertise social distancing and put a few of the most enjoyable (and crowd-drawing) displays outdoors.

The CTA introduced aboard Abbott Healthcare to offer free COVID speedy self-test kits to all attendees, in addition to free on-site PCR assessments for worldwide guests. On New Year’s Eve, the CTA pivoted and introduced it might shorten the present by a day to additional scale back the danger of COVID transmission and handle exhibitor staffing challenges.

“In part, our decision making was guided by President Biden’s December remarks, in which he urged Americans to focus on masking, vaccinations and testing – but emphasized that the country need not and should not shut down,” Shapiro mentioned.

Shapiro famous Biden’s phrases that this isn’t March 2020. Plenty of members of Congress attended, together with U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen, Shelley Moore Capito, Marsha Blackburn, Susan Collins, and Maria Cantwell.

“Ultimately, COVID will be with us for some time and we have to find ways to live with that reality,” Shapiro mentioned. “Several Fortune 100 CEOs made precisely that point to me in commending CTA on our leadership in hosting an in-person CES.”

Above: Light site visitors on the Las Vegas Strip on the opening day of CES 2022.

Image Credit: Eric Savitz

One good thing about fewer individuals was that the strains weren’t as lengthy and those that went might go to cubicles or occasions with out numerous ready. In that method, the lighter attendance was a superb factor. Smaller firms additionally acquired an opportunity to shine.

Shapiro pointed on the market have been numerous digital well being merchandise, with over a dozen firms exhibiting merchandise designed to detect, hint and forestall the unfold of COVID-19. Shapiro famous there are reviews of attendees testing constructive, regardless that vaccinations and assessments have been required. But he famous there are infections showing in all places.

I believe there’s a little an excessive amount of self-justification happening right here. I acknowledge the dilemma and the tough resolution, however I additionally perceive those that are saying the CTA opted for cash over well being. I selected to not go as a result of I didn’t need to be a part of a superspreader occasion that may endanger members of my family or my buddies after I returned. It could have been secure, however I’ve been to numerous occasions that say they’re secure they usually actually aren’t. I’m glad to see reviews from those that they did follow their procedures.

Within video games, the massive query now could be whether or not it’s good to ebook journey for upcoming occasions just like the DICE Summit in Las Vegas in February or the Game Developers Conference in March. The Entertainment Software Association, the organizer of the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), has already introduced it is going to go surfing just for a present that usually attracts 65,000 individuals to Los Angeles in June.

Shapiro famous that the Business Travel Association, one of many largest commerce teams in Washington, praised CES as “nothing short of a model for how business trade events can and should take place in 2022,” and it inspired different skilled occasion organizers to observe its lead as they plan for this 12 months.

“Ultimately, I am convinced we did the right thing in choosing to move forward with CES 2022 as an in-person event,” Shapiro mentioned. “Not only did we adopt leading healthcare measures, but we provided a critical platform for the thousands of companies – many of them small and medium-sized businesses – who rely on CES. We also showed leadership, helping industry to define a ‘new normal’ as we learn to live with the virus.”