Las Vegas CES 2021 Goes Virtual
In anticipation of this year’s Las Vegas CES Virtual Event, Luis Alvarez did an interview with On The Air to discuss what we can expect from the 2021 event, as well as what the move to a virtual event means for the local economy.
Las Vegas CES is one of the biggest technology events held annually, and with it being in January, it really sets the precedent for the rest of the year. For this reason, it is important to pay attention to any new announcements that come from CES, as well as how successful the event is overall.
As everything shifts to an online format with the COVID-19 pandemic in play, CES is no different. This year the event was held online, changing a number of the things people have come to expect from it. Luckily, in the past ten months technology has adapted to the needs of the people as shelter in place orders have been set.
In the interview, Alvarez discusses how despite the drawbacks, one of the benefits of having an online event is that it can be more tailored to attendees. Going to the sessions you want becomes easier, you don’t have to worry about standing in lines, and the overall process becomes more convenient for those who are actually looking to learn new information.
One of the obvious issues with going virtual is that it takes away some of the novelty. Many people enjoying the thrill of walking through the halls of the event, taking in all the sights, and seeing who else is there. On an online platform, this becomes impossible, which could be a turnoff for some.
Another downside to CES being virtual is that it creates a big hit for the entertainment industry. Hotels, casinos, and other forms of entertainment and nightlife lose tons of money when big events don’t come to town. Once again, with CES being at the beginning of the year, this is especially troublesome for those who rely on the income from the event.
One of the good things about this shift in format is that most people will be able to attend for free. When invitations to the event were first sent out, tickets were free. Also, vendors who are attending the event have the option to give discounts to anyone they invite, meaning that most will not have to pay the $99.00 fee. This is not an issue for CES, because most of their profit comes from vendors’ fees rather than ticket sales.
Another thing Alvarez talks about is how the crowds have changed over the years. For many years, most attendees of CES were older individuals who have been in tech for some time. But last year, things began to change with many people in their late 20’s to early 30’s attending, as owners of startup companies. Sadly, there are still few women in attendance at these events, but hopefully, this will change in the near future.
Las Vegas CES is a very exciting and influential event in the world of technology. Hopefully, in future years, we all will be able to attend the event in person, so that it can be enjoyed in full. If you would like more updates on the latest technology events and advancements, keep up with us here at Alvarez Technology Group.
