What to Expect as CES Returns to Vegas as an In-Person Conference

After going virtual last year, the largest technology trade show in North America is making an in-person comeback. The 2022 edition of the Consumer Electronics Show is set to take place in Las Vegas from Jan. 5-7, ending a day earlier than originally planned. As the world continues to navigate the ongoing pandemic, the show will also have a new hybrid format. Last year’s virtual-only event attracted more than 100,000 attendees across live and on-demand broadcasts. This year, according to the Consumer Technology Association—the trade organization that organizes CES annually—more than 2,200 exhibiting companies have signed up to participate. CES Is the Event to Watch as Omicron Variant Threatens Return of 2022 Events This is also the first year that CES will have a presence in the Las Vegas Convention Center’s West Hall, which makes up an area of 1.4 million square feet. Other CES venues in Vegas include the Aria, Mandalay Bay, Venetian Expo and Wynn Las Vegas. Registered companies span more than 44 different technology categories, and new categories this year at CES 2022 include food tech, space tech and nonfungible tokens (NFTs). Companies making first-time appearances at the conference in those categories include aerospace newcomer Sierra Space and NFT creator platform Blockparty. Food tech will look at advancements in agriculture, ingredient innovation, vertical farming, sustainability and nutrition. Companies like Impossible Foods will have a presence, and Beyond Honeycomb is set to show off an AI-driven robot that can re-create any recipe. Automotive is experiencing significant growth, with more than 200 brands committing to the automotive and vehicle technology category, a 12% growth year over year. And smart homes are once again going to play a big role at CES, with marketers wondering if 2022 will finally be the year they catch on with consumers. FireTV, LG, Samsung, Sony and more will all have a presence in the smart home category. Health care is also set to have a major presence, with Abbott Labs scheduled to give a keynote, marking the first time a health care company will take the stage at CES. The increased focus on wellness following the Covid-19 pandemic helped accelerate innovation in the category, and health technology companies including P&G, Omron and Humana are working to enable people to take control of their well-being.