I’m getting ready for CES 2025 by watching scenes from last year’s show, lining up interviews and booth visits and studying a venue that sprawls over the Las Vegas Strip, taking over multiple conference spaces in several casinos. Compare that to the largest CAD show (Autodesk University), which can be comfortably housed in one.
CES is expected to have 170,000 attendees. It is the biggest trade show in the U.S. and one of the biggest in the world. I will be one of over 5,000 journalists there.
Here are some other facts I found interesting about CES.
- It’s Not Just Electronics
CES features innovations across industries, including healthcare, automotive, smart cities, sustainability, beauty and food. Impossible Foods gained early traction through CES appearances. CES has also added an emphasis on software and services driving technological innovation. - Long-Running History
CES was first held in 1967 in New York City, with 250 exhibitors and 17,500 attendees. Since 1978 it has been held in Las Vegas. Damn. - CES is an Innovation Launchpad
Iconic products debuted at CES include the VCR (1970), CD player (1981), DVD (1996), and OLED TVs (2008). - So Many Exhibits
More than 4,500 companies exhibit at CES.
- So Many Asians (not that there’s anything wrong with that)
A significant portion of CES attendees come from outside the U.S., including a large contingent from China, South Korea, and Japan. - A Start-up Area
Eureka Park will give 1,200 startups a spot to exhibit their technology.
- Automotive Hub
CES has become a major event for the automotive industry, with autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, and mobility technologies playing a central role. - Pandemic Closed Live Event
During the pandemic in 2021, CES went fully virtual for the first time in its history. - Celebrity Appearances
High-profile speakers and attendees include Elon Musk, Bill Gates, and even celebrities like Shaquille O’Neal and Alicia Keys promoting tech innovations. NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang is scheduled to deliver a keynote on January 6, 2025 at Mandalay Bay - I Like Big Booths and I Cannot Lie
Companies like Samsung, LG, and Sony create some of the largest and most elaborate booths, often covering thousands of square feet.
