CES 2022 Will Mandate Proof of Vaccination for All In-Person Attendees
August 17, 2021
CES 2022, the world’s most influential technology trade show, will require in-person attendees to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination to participate in the live event, set for Jan. 5-8 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. For those unable to travel to Las Vegas, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), which owns and produces the show, will once again create a digital event that will run in parallel with the in-person program.
“Based on today’s science, we understand vaccines offer us the best hope for stopping the spread of COVID-19,” said Gary Shapiro, CTA president and CEO in a statement. “We all play a part in ending the pandemic through encouraging vaccinations and implementing the right safety protocols. We are taking on our responsibility by requiring proof of vaccination to attend CES 2022 in Las Vegas.”
The association is also considering proof of a positive antibody test as an alternative requirement and will share more details at a later time. CTA officials asserted that safety, security and health are a top priority at CES, that the show will follow state and local guidelines and recommendations by the CDC and that CTA will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation and announce additional safety protocols closer to the show.
The CES announcement comes as other major trade shows have recently implemented or announced COVID vaccine and mask requirements.
Held Aug. 9-13 at Wynn Las Vegas, The Venetian Expo and CAESARS FORUM in Las Vegas, HIMSS21 required proof of vaccination for all attendees, exhibitors and staff, mandated mask-wearing, provided free on-site COVID-19 tests and biometric screenings, and implemented a number of other health and safety protocols to keep show participants safe.
On Aug. 17, the NGA Show announced that it will require all participants, staff and vendors to wear face masks as well as show proof of full vaccination or show a negative COVID test taken no more than 72 hours from the 2021 trade show. Produced by the National Grocers Association (NGA), the annual event is set for Sept. 19-21 at the Paris Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Reed Exhibitions’ Bar Convent Brooklyn announced that all attendees, including visitors, exhibitors, vendors, media, speakers and staff must be fully vaccinated to be granted admission to the show, taking place Aug. 17-18 at the Brooklyn Expo Center.
Some major cities and states are also stepping up to help stop the spread of the Delta variant via vaccine mandates. Beginning Aug. 17, New York City will require people to provide proof of vaccination to enter a number of indoor settings, including bars, fitness gyms, movie and stage theaters, museums and other indoor venues. To be formally enforced starting Sept. 13, the city’s new “Key to NYC” plan marks the first major U.S. city to impose such a mandate for the general public.
On August 12, San Francisco Mayor London Breed announced that the city will require proof of full vaccination at indoor establishments including restaurants, bars, gyms and entertainment venues. The mandate, which applies to both workers and guests, goes into effect August 20.
On July 26, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that all state employees and healthcare workers will be required to provide proof of vaccination or be subject to regular COVID testing, while on Aug. 9, Washington Governor Jay Inslee announced a state mandate that requires all state and healthcare workers to be vaccinated by Oct. 18, 2021 or be subject to non-disciplinary dismissal.
“We all play a role in stopping the spread. Requiring proof of vaccination for CES 2022 is one way we can take responsibility on our part,” said the CTA’s Shapiro in a recent blog post. “We know our decision to require vaccines—and potentially positive antibody tests—may not be popular for some, but for many others it will allow them to know they can experience CES once again—and get back to business as usual.”
A massive event that spotlights every aspect of the tech sector, CES 2022 will feature a host of new technologies from 2,000 global companies, including major brands and start-ups, leading-edge education and live keynotes featuring industry leaders and advocates discussing the future of technology, attendee networking opportunities, as well as new show categories such as space tech, food tech and NFTs. The show will also highlight advancements in AI, AR/VR, gaming and computing, digital health, automotive and transportation, home entertainment, smart home and more.
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