Due to health concerns surrounding Covid-19, many technology events have been canceled, postponed, or moved to live stream only. Nevertheless, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) will likely continue as usual as a direct venue convention in January 2021.

"While we will once again host an in-person event in Las Vegas, we are all faced with new considerations surrounding conference attendance, conducting business, and traveling to conferences. We are adapting to the evolving landscape, just as your companies are innovating to meet the challenges posed by this pandemic," said the event's planners.

The group overseeing the event insists that "safety, security, and health are always priorities." However, rather than postpone or cancel the event altogether, several new health policies will be implemented.

Highlights include regular cleaning and sanitizing of spaces throughout the venue, limiting touch points (this includes a cashless system for transactions), requiring attendees to wear masks and avoid handshakes, and measures aimed at social distancing, such as wider aisles and seats further apart than usual etc.

One thing in the event's favor is that the show is still seven months away. Business has already begun to resume, and by that time it may be back to business as usual (or the new normal).

In any case, the event's planners seem to be betting against an increase in COVID-19 cases between now and January. It is difficult to predict that much, though.

CES draws a large crowd every year. Including both attendees and exhibitor personnel, the total number of attendees this past January reached 175,212. The breakdown was 113,980 domestic and 61,230 international.

It is a big event where companies showcase their latest products and prototypes of upcoming products; whether it will be as large in January 2021 remains to be seen and will depend on how many companies and media representatives decide not to attend.

Thanks, The Verge [17]