The Number of attendees at CES 2022 has dropped 75%- Newswatch TV

CES is returning to an in-person event for the first time since 2020 following a virtual show last year. According to NewsWatch TV AMC, around 45,000 attendees descended upon the world's largest gadget show in Las Vegas to see more than 2,300 companies exhibit their products.

The number of attendees at CES 2022 has dropped 75%- Newswatch TV

Even though that figure seems impressive at first glance, you have to remember that close to 180,000 people attended in 2020. It's about a 75% drop-off if you do the math. There is a steep drop off the cliff, not a little one.

The CES did offer a digital attendance option, but the numbers haven't been released. On social media, attendees noted that the show wasn't empty, but it was much less packed than in the past. Even fewer venues were used and the show ended a day earlier, most likely due to fewer attendees and exhibitors.

However, this didn't stop the CES from seeing the bright side and celebrating its success. 8 months ago, they decided to proceed with an in-person show, so perhaps they factored this possibility into production costs.

A few days back at CES 2022, we saw technologies that will reshape industries and provide solutions to pressing global issues from healthcare to agriculture to sustainability and beyond," said Gary Shapiro, president, and CEO of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA). As the CES show floor buzzed with human interaction and a five-sense innovation experience, several products will redefine our future and change the course of history.”

In-person, the majority of participants were smaller companies as big names like Samsung, T-Mobile, IBM, Mercedes-Benz, and more pulled out over the last few weeks to ensure the safety of their employees and consumers.

The number of attendees at CES 2022 has dropped 75%- Newswatch TV

All of this is the result of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially the spike in cases in the U.S. due to the Omicron variant. In addition to requiring proof of vaccination and wearing masks indoors at all times, you can't help but wonder if it would have been better to cancel the in-person portion of the show altogether. As reported by Newswatch TV, the E3 just did that, five months before their show and after announcing they would be returning in person.