Modest expectations for CES 2009; 8% attendance drop expected
There will be no records set -- whether for giant TVs or for simple attendance -- at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show (I'll be blogging from the event from January 7 to 11). The L.A. Times -- and everyone else -- is predicting a leaner, more somber show, and even CEA, the group that produces the show, is predicting an 8 percent drop in attendance vs. 2008.
We've known this was coming. Big trade shows have been a dying breed for more than a decade, and CES is the last of its kind to take place in the U.S. (A few overseas shows are even larger.) But the current recession is hitting many companies incredibly hard. While most (but not all) of the usual big exhibitors are still set to have their overstuffed booths in operation, many people who might normally have attended just to check out the lay of the land are pulling out, despite the big discounts on Vegas hotels being offered.
