A few weeks ago, the CES 2022 organization lost Google and General Motors, the last two companies to confirm their cancellation of their plans to be present at the Las Vegas technology fair. Even so, the two giants announced that they would be virtually. The two companies thus join others such as T-Mobile, Intel, Lenovo, TikTok, Meta, Waymo and many others who made such a change in plans over the past week due to an increase in cases of coronavirus and the variant omicron
Omicron squashes all plans
“We have been closely monitoring the development of the omicron variant and have decided that this is the best option for the health and safety of our teams . We will continue to work closely with CTA and our partners to identify and support virtual opportunities, and look forward to sharing the Google’s latest innovations with all of you,” a Google spokesperson said in a statement where the company announced it would not be attending CES.
For its part, the American General Motors, whose participation was scheduled so that its executive director, Mary Barra, would give an opening speech in person, finally will not send employees or executives to the event. Barra’s opening speech will be broadcast virtually as well.
Despite the ever-increasing list of companies that will not attend, the Consumer Technology Association, which runs CES, assured just a few days ago that additional exhibiting companies have signed up to attend the exhibition site in person, although not He did not clarify what these companies were nor did he highlight their importance in the world of digital development and technology.
Although high-profile companies, such as Google or Meta, are announcing that they will not be attending , the CTA emphasized that the exhibition hall will also welcome small and medium-sized companies. Past attendees seeking that visibility have ranged from start-ups with specialized computer technology to small companies producing technological advances like pizza-making robots.
However, the rapid spread of the omicron variant and the increase in COVID-19 cases are worrying many of the participants. The CTA made the requirements to attend very clear, which include a complete vaccination schedule , or wearing a mask at all times. In addition, the organization has enabled COVID tests for those who attend the event in person. However, an increasing number of companies are choosing to only attend the event using digital technology.
This Tuesday, T-Mobile assured that the company’s CEO, Mike Sievert, is no longer interested in making a presentation at the event, either in person or virtually, and that the company plans to “significantly limit” its physical presence. at the fair.
Meta, for its part, assured that it will participate virtually in the event. “Out of an abundance of caution and care by our employees, we will not be attending CES in person due to evolving public health concerns related to COVID-19,” they announced.
