CES has been the launch pad for innovators globally for over 50 years, being the platform for path breaking technologies that have changed the world. President and CEO Gary Shapiro opens up on the role of CES in the global tech ecosystem, fostering innovation, growing collaborations, and helping businesses all over the world grow.
“CES saves executives an estimated 5.4 billion kilometers of business travel each year and with the average attendee conducts 33 meetings on-site, it is the most efficient way make new connections, close deals and grow your business.” – Gary Shapiro, President and CEO, Consumer Technology Association
- In your experience, how was the reception at this year’s event (CES2018)?
CES 2018 was a record-breaking show. Life-changing technology spread across more than 250,000 net square meters – that’s more than half the size of Vatican City! More than 4,400 companies from around the world displayed the latest in innovation, including Avantari Technologies, Ethereal Machines, Robotix Learning Solutions, Square Off, Wipro and Wise Systech, as well as more than 900 startups.
For more than 50 years, CES has been the launch pad for innovators. From the VCR to the DVD to the HDTV, the breakthroughs unveiled at CES make it the proving ground for the next generation of game changing technologies.
- What is the mantra behind the continued success and growing global popularity of CES?
CES is the world’s largest and most influential technology event. Every major tech company is at CES and the show is where business gets done. CES saves executives an estimated 5.4 billion kilometers of business travel each year and the average attendee conducts 33 meetings on-site. If you’re a part of the global tech ecosystem, CES is the most efficient way make new connections, close deals and grow your business.
Technology touches every major industry, and CES evolves as the definition of technology expands. This year at CES, we saw the latest advances in voice and speech recognition integrated across marketplaces, including smart speakers embedded in cars.
CES 2018 featured the latest in smart city and smart community technology, including AI, 5G connectivity and self-driving technology. These ingredient technologies are the building blocks for sustainable, livable world cities. Across every continent, technology is changing our lives for the better. At CES we get a glimpse into what the future holds.
- What were the highlights of the show this year? Which was your personal favorite innovation on display?
Every major industry is represented at CES so it is hard to pick one favorite product. But I always love checking out Eureka Park – the area of the show floor dedicated to startups. This year we had over 900 exhibitors in Eureka Park from more than three dozen countries. This is a must-see for anyone looking to see the latest innovations coming to market. It is always a delight to witness the energy of these early-stage innovators.
- Which one emerging technology do you believe will have the greatest impact on our lives in the future?
5G connectivity is a catalyst of growth, binding together our physical and digital worlds. Future products and services powered by 5G will redefine the way we live and work, with major implications across transportation, healthcare, logistics and so much more. In the future, networks powered by 5G will be 100 times faster and five times more responsive than today’s infrastructure. By delivering lower latency and greater capacity, 5G will help us realize the full benefits of IoT.
- What is your vision for future CES events?
CES is home to innovators debuting disruptive technology. The first CES in 1967 featured pocket radios and TVs with integrated circuits. Since then, the show has grown into the world’s largest innovation event, with thousands of companies and more than 175,000 attendees.
Technology is constantly evolving. In the years to come, I am confident that connectivity will fuel advancements across product categories including drones, augmented and virtual reality, and robotics. Innovators, disruptors and entrepreneurs will drive technology expansion into new markets and product categories that we can’t even imagine. I am excited for the future of technology at CES and the potential it has to improve our lives and our world.
By: Sanjib Mohapatra, Publisher and Co-Editor, Enterprise IT World, SME Channels (India)
