Fresh off a Successful 2020 Show, Massive CES Is Ready for More Space
January 15, 2020
Bendable laptop screens, 5G connectivity and a Mercedes straight out of Avatar were only some of the highlights at CES 2020 that took place Jan. 7-10 in Las Vegas.
The 54th annual show attracted around 180,000 attendees and showcased the latest in tech from 4,400 exhibitors across more than 2.9 million square feet at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Sands Expo and several Las Vegas hotels.
Already the largest show in the U.S. (and the top show on TSNN’s Top Trade Show List), CES will have room to grow next year with the addition of the new West Hall at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
“The LVCC expansion is critical to the growth of CES and ensures we will have state-of-the art facilities and space to grow strategically as more non-traditional verticals are incorporated into the show,” said Caroline Finnell, senior coordinator, events communications for CES. “CES 2021 will be the first show in the new space.”
The West Hall will house the overall vehicle tech/transportation category, which includes automotive technology, car audio, drones and self-driving cars. Space selection for the 2021 show began last week.
Highlights of CES 2020
In the meantime, CES 2020 saw strong growth in several sectors, highlighting their importance to the changing marketplace.
The health and wellness category featured 135 exhibitors, a 25 percent increase over last year. The Consumer Technology Association, which owns and operates CES, partnered with World Bank Group for the show on a Global Tech Challenge, which — among other areas — focused on health tech, such as and electroencephalogram headband and clinically validated healthwatches.
The Smart Cities exhibit area also saw a 25 percent growth compared to last year. In her keynote, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao addressed the importance of safe integration of autonomous vehicles into the country’s transportation system and other tech advancements that are impacting public transport. Her sentiments where echoed on the showfloor, where crowds also got a glimpse of the future with a flying taxi by Bell.
CES is always a showcase for incredible exhibit design. Audi created an intimate and futuristic experience around its Audi AI:Me “empathetic” car by using colorful, shimmering streamers hanging from the ceiling of the booth. Canon let attendees test out the latest cameras on a fabulous catwalk, and Google added interactivity to its Assistant presentations with a ride down a slide.
At the Delta Air Lines booth, attendees could lift heavy luggage with the help of an exoskeleton and experience “parallel reality,” where two people can look at the same object and see their own personalized information. The company also announced its plans for in-flight free Wi-Fi at CES.
With AI at the core of many products at CES, it was only fitting that the show itself used AI to improve attendee experience through using facial recognition for badge pickup at several locations. The CES app, as well as its Facebook and Twitter pages, featured AI-powered chat bots to provide real-time information on sessions and exhibitors to attendees.
CES 2021 will take place on Jan. 6-9 in Las Vegas.
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Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
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