CES 2023: More Companies Cancel In-Person Presence

CES 2022 Sees Further Cancellations

Activity surrounding the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) has been relatively subdued in recent days, likely due to the holiday period. The latest significant cancellation comes from Microsoft, who announced on Christmas Eve that they would not be sending representatives to Las Vegas for the event.

This decision followed similar announcements from a number of major corporations, including GM, Google, Lenovo, Intel, T-Mobile, AT&T, Meta, Twitter, Amazon, TikTok, and Pinterest.

Confirmed Attendees Remain

Despite these withdrawals, several prominent companies are still scheduled to participate in next week’s show. These include Samsung, LG, BMW, Qualcomm, and Sony.

As of December 23rd, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) reported that “over 2,200” companies were still intending to attend CES 2022.

However, reports suggest that numerous startups have chosen not to attend, while others remain committed to an in-person presence.

Recent Additions to the Cancellation List

Today, additional key companies have announced their withdrawal from in-person participation. These include AMD, MSI, OnePlus, and Proctor & Gamble.

A spokesperson for AMD verified the company’s decision to TechCrunch through an official statement.

OnePlus, while not an official exhibitor, had planned a separate event in Las Vegas coinciding with CES. The company has now confirmed to TechCrunch that this in-person event will not proceed, citing growing concerns regarding the Omicron variant.

Gaming hardware manufacturer MSI confirmed its absence via a press release. According to VP Sam Chern, the company’s primary concern is the health and safety of employees, customers, and fans.

MSI will participate in CES 2022 virtually, hosting an online product launch instead of an in-person exhibit.

Proctor & Gamble, which frequently uses CES to showcase innovations for brands like Gillette and Oral-B, also announced its decision in a statement.

CTA Responds to Coverage

In an opinion piece published in the Las Vegas Review-Journal on Christmas Day, CTA CEO Gary Shapiro addressed media coverage of the tech company withdrawals.

He criticized what he perceived as a focus on “drama and big name companies,” arguing that the coverage presented a biased perspective.

Shapiro defended the importance of CES and its continued relevance despite the cancellations.