Major gadget event turns to tech for virtual salvation
SAN FRANCISCO: The Consumer Electronics Show, known for crowds, sensory-overload, and deal-making, is relying on technology it has long hawked to put pizzazz into its first virtual event, kicking off Monday.
The deadly pandemic that has derailed in-person conferences around the world during the past year forced the Consumer Technology Association to follow suit with an online version of the annual gathering in Las Vegas. “CES is one of the most experiential events in the world, where attendees can actually see and touch and experience the latest innovations,” CTA spokeswoman Jean Foster said during a briefing ahead of the show. “And while we can’t recreate that magic that happens in Las Vegas, we can bring our audiences a new and unique whole digital experience.”
Show organisers worked with Microsoft to build an online platform, and help exhibitors craft video presentations, digital press kits, and chat forums for engaging with attendees. “We really built around the concept of people being able to interact with each other,” Foster said, noting that Microsoft Teams video-conferencing software was a strong component of the platform.
The digital version of CES will be a “true broadcast experience,” the centrepiece of which will be an online “anchor desk” staffed by social media and tech news veterans. The desk will stream interviews, analysis, and keynote presentations, as well as recap daily events and preview what is ahead, according to Foster.
More than 100 hours of CES programming is planned, with many presentations captioned in more than a dozen languages. Digital CES is relying on artificial intelligence to match interests indicated in attendee profiles with exhibitors.