Lenovo Suspends CES In-Person Activities Amid Omicron Concerns
CES 2022 Faces Growing List of Cancellations
Update: Waymo has formally announced its withdrawal, joining the increasing number of automotive companies choosing not to attend in person. The Alphabet-owned company communicated via a blog post that, due to rapidly increasing COVID-19 infection rates, a difficult decision was made to forgo physical participation at CES 2022. However, Waymo intends to participate virtually in select CES events.
Initial Withdrawals and Notable Absences
Yesterday, the number of exhibitors cancelling their in-person presence at CES was limited, but significant. What was missing was a prominent name from the hardware manufacturing sector. As of the previous day, companies like Google, HTC, John Deere, TCL, and BMW had all confirmed to TechCrunch their continued plans to attend the Las Vegas event, while also stating they were “continuing to monitor the situation.” Samsung released a press statement detailing its plans for an in-person keynote presentation.
Confirmation from several key companies, including Lenovo, was still pending at that time. This morning, the PC manufacturer announced it would “suspend” its in-person activities at the Consumer Electronics Show.
Parallels to Mobile World Congress
The current situation bears resemblance to the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in 2020. MWC unfortunately coincided with the initial surge of COVID-19 in Europe. The withdrawal of major hardware vendors signaled the eventual cancellation of that year’s event. Several large companies have already cancelled for CES, notably T-Mobile as a sponsor, followed by AT&T, who decided to “forego in-person participation.”
Media and Tech Company Cancellations
Numerous media organizations – including our own – have announced similar decisions. Meta, Twitter, Amazon, TikTok, and Pinterest have also opted out of in-person attendance. While these are all significant companies, they don’t traditionally maintain a substantial hardware presence at the show. Lenovo, conversely, is a major player in the hardware space.
CTA's Stance and Health Measures
As of yesterday evening, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), the organization responsible for CES, remained resolute. They conveyed to TechCrunch that, given the comprehensive health measures in place – including vaccination requirements, mask mandates, and COVID-19 testing availability – combined with reduced attendance and social distancing protocols, they are confident attendees and exhibitors can experience a productive and worthwhile event in Las Vegas, alongside a valuable digital experience.
Comparing to Past Events and Current Conditions
The CTA also highlighted the relatively limited number of cancellations received thus far. While comparisons can be drawn to MWC, the current pandemic landscape differs significantly from nearly two years ago. Our understanding of the virus’s transmission has improved, and multiple vaccines, including booster shots, are now available in many regions. The CTA has also been transparent regarding its health protocols, including vaccine mandates.
Omicron and Future Uncertainty
The Omicron variant, while widespread in parts of the U.S., may offer a potential benefit due to its reported lower severity, according to preliminary data. However, numerous questions remain, including the anticipated increase in cases following holiday travel, occurring just before the event in Las Vegas. Exercising an abundance of caution is reasonable, and Lenovo is likely not the last company to adjust its plans.