CES 2021 will be held in Las Vegas as planned Organizers recently announced that the annual CES trade show will continue this January at the Las Vegas Convention Center and surrounding area, with in-person events, televisions, laptops, audio products, and crazy gadgets on display as usual

The Consumer Technology Association (CTA), the organizer of this influential trade show, said that plans for CES 2021 are underway, with some additions that will promote cleanliness and allow for social distancing in Las Vegas' famously crowded venue It announced that the trade show will continue as planned, albeit with the addition of a few plans to promote cleanliness and social distancing at the famously crowded venue in Las Vegas

Last January, the show drew more than 175,000 attendees from around the world just before a coronavirus pandemic caused a nationwide shutdown that ultimately led to the cancellation of many tech industry events

The massive turnout that CES brings each year plays a major role not only in the broader tech industry, but also in the Las Vegas economy: as CES attendees fill hotel rooms, eat at restaurants, take cabs, and fund local services, Las Vegas sees a large influx of business

And with Las Vegas casinos and hotels closing for much of the 2020 calendar year, many businesses are no doubt looking forward to the annual CES excitement to revive their flagging business in the New Year

Here is what we know about CES 2021

CTA announced that CES 2021 is scheduled to take place January 6-9, 2021

The three-day trade show will be preceded by a three- to four-day media event, where companies will hold press conferences, announce new products, and preview upcoming innovations

As in previous years, the CES trade show is primarily held at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada

However, the sprawling show also dominates venues up and down the Las Vegas Strip, including the Sands Expo Center and event spaces at Mandalay Bay and the ARIA Hotel in 2020, there were 11 official show venues, with unofficial events and conferences held in surrounding areas held in the surrounding area

To alleviate unrest and provide a safe show for attendees, the CTA has implemented a number of plans to make the upcoming show safer and cleaner These range from regular cleaning and sanitizing of the venue space to widening the aisles and encouraging show visitors not to shake hands

Show organizers promote the reduction of the need to touch things during the show by encouraging cashless payment for goods and services, providing contactless thermal scanning, and making medical services and assistance available on site

In addition to not shaking hands, attendees are encouraged to wear masks and follow best practices to reduce the spread of disease, including frequent hand washing and use of hand sanitizers Seating for the event has been reconsidered, with wider spacing between seats in the conference program

There will also be several live streaming events, allowing companies and attendees to participate without having to travel to the venue in person; according to the CTA announcement, "exhibitors will showcase their products, technology breakthroughs, and ideas to the world, both in the physical Las Vegas location and digitally "

While there will certainly be the usual booths and product demos, keynotes, industry panels, and major press conferences will likely include streaming and video-enabled remote participation; many of the people speaking and presenting at CES 2021 may not be in Las Vegas at all

While the CTA has stated its intention to hold the CES 2021 show as scheduled, there is still much that could happen between now and next January

Several other major shows have been canceled in recent months, despite the event organizers' push to stick to the original scheduling The mobile phone-centric Mobile World Congress was canceled after several major exhibitors pulled out; SXSW, which focused on technology and media, did not take place this year after local authorities disrupted the show due to coronavirus concerns; and major developer conferences like Microsoft's Build and Apple's WWDC All major developer conferences have moved to an online format [All major developer conferences like Microsoft's Build and Apple's WWDC have moved to an online format; if the coronavirus surges again in late 2020, the CDC and government agencies may not hold the show due to guidance It is also possible that after several months of in-person events being replaced by live streams and virtual events, the industry may begin to move away from large conferences and trade shows altogether

We will keep you posted on what is happening at CES 2021 as new announcements are made