CES 2021 will be an in-person event, to be held in the first week of January
Per current plans, the trade show will take place from January 6 to January 9.
No one knows when the pandemic will end. The common consensus is that it could last into next year. Sure, it’s spread might slow down, but a mass public event like the CES could result in a new wave.
CTA says it will adapt CES 2021 to enforce social distancing
CTA also says that the aisles in the exhibit areas will be widened and seats will be placed at a distance from each other to allow for social distancing. The whole arena will be dotted with sanitization stations and attendees will be required to wear masks. Entrants will likely be checked for temperature as well and on-site access to health services will be provided.
For this reason, CTA also plans on expanding the digital reach of CES 2021 by offering a wider selection of live-streamed content. So, for those who don’t make it, new products and technologies will be showcased digitally as well.
There is also a possibility that that CTA is just monitoring the situation and hoping for the best. If things don’t get better by January 2021, it might announce a last-minute cancellation or make CES 2021 an entirely digital event.
And lest you think CTA is selfish for even thinking about an in-person event, the association is quick to point out that the event would bring together visionaries to solve the challenges faced by the world today. We will also get to see technologies that will ease some of the challenges created by the pandemic.
As good as that sound, is it worth the risk?