The organisers of the CES technology event have announced that next year’s conference will be online-only for the first time in its 53-year history.
The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) has confirmed that the 2021 event, scheduled for 6-9 January, will be an “all-digital experience”.
The decision was made in order to prioritise the health and safety of the conference participants in the face of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
In an announcement posted to the CES website, the CTA stated that it would be impossible “to safely convene tens of thousands of people in Las Vegas in early January 2021 to meet and do business in person”.
This decision comes after the CTA last month maintained that the 2021 event would go ahead in person. Although the organisers promised to adhere to health and safety regulations, including social distancing, the scale of the event cast doubt on the effectiveness of these measures.
The most recent CES edition, which was one of the last in-person events to take place before the pandemic, was attended by 182,000 people from all around the world.
CES 2021 is aiming to translate the event into a digital, “highly personalized experience”.
The organisers have announced that attendees will still be able to “explore products and services (...) through dynamic product showcases or live demos”, as well as participate in networking through “live interactions, meetups or roundtable discussions”.
“An all-digital CES 2021 will allow the entire tech community to safely share ideas and introduce the products that will shape our future,” the organisers revealed, adding that they are “designing a unique experience for the tech industry”.
“You’ll be able to participate in all the awe-inspiring moments of CES wherever you are in the world.”
The CTA also stated that they are planning to bring the conference back to Las Vegas in January 2022. The event is to feature the “best elements of a physical and digital show”.
