The Consumer Electronics Show, or CES for short, has announced it “will require in-person attendees to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination”. This is big news as it’s one of the world’s biggest events and one of the first to insist on vaccination as a requirement to attend.
CES 2022 Plans
Tech events, like many other events, have experienced massive disruption as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic. While I do keep context in my mind and understand I’ve gotten through the past 18-months lightly, I’ve missed tech events. While some, including CES, moved online and did their best to re-create the in-person experience digitally, it just wasn’t the same.
For this reason, it’s exciting to see CES 2022, and hopefully events like IFA 2022, going ahead and that they will be full in-person events. It’s even more promising to see the organisers taking the necessary steps to ensure the event has every chance of proceeding.
CES To Require Proof Of Vaccination
Today, the organisers of CES 2022 confirmed that in-person attendees will be required to present proof of vaccination. For those who are unable to attend or who cannot present this proof, they will have the option of attending a digital event running in parallel to the physical event where “digital audiences will have the opportunity to share the spirit of the in-person event”.
Consumer Technology Association CEO Gary Shaprio says that “based on today’s science, we understand vaccines offer us the best hope for stopping the spread of COVID-19. 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”.
Will CES 2022 Accept Proof Of COVID-19 Recovery?
As we’ve grown accustomed to EU Travel Certs and the like, this brings one question to the surface around antibody testing. If you’ve recovered from COVID-19 in the past six months, you can travel in Europe the same as if you have been fully vaccinated. Organisers have confirmed they are “also assessing the acceptance of proof of a positive antibody test as an alternative” but nothing has been said about testing and attending. More will be shared on antibody testing prior to the event with organisers confirming they are following “state and local guidelines and recommendations by the CDC”.
When Does CES 2022 Take Place?
CES is an annual event. The next event will take place between January 5th and 8th. As is the case every year there has been an in-person event, CES 2022 will run in Las Vegas, Nevada and over 2000 companies are expected to attend.
