Just a week ago we were more than thrilled with the return in the presence of CES 2022. After an entirely digital edition, the event will finally return to Las Vegas, thus welcoming thousands of visitors from all over the world, as well as representatives of hi-tech giants. But that’s not all that glitters now. In fact, in the last few hours, the numbers of infections from Covid-19 have risen enormously globally, so much so that some companies have been convinced to withdraw their participation in the CES. So let’s see who will participate and who will not, so as to understand what the events in presence will really be at which we could attend.
CES 2022: which companies will not participate in the event
Last week Lenovo announced that will not be physically present at CES 2022. More specifically, the company stated that it will not have staff on site at the event, in order to protect the health of employees and customers. “After closely monitoring current trends related to COVID, it is in the best interests of the health and safety of our employees, customers, partners and our communities to suspend all on-site operations in Las Vegas,” the company announced on Twitter his failure to attend the event. “And while this is a change from plans, we are thrilled to show you the launch of our latest technology, as planned, on January 4th and 5th.”
CES UPDATE: After closely monitoring the current trends surrounding COVID, it is in the best interest of the health and safety of our employees, customers, partners, and our communities to suspend all on-site activity in Las Vegas.
— Lenovo Stories & News (@LenovoNews) December 23, 2021
Lenovo’s choice, in reality, is far from isolated. Also Amazon, Meta, Twitter e T-Mobile, official sponsor of the event, took a step back from participating in attendance at CES 2022. All four companies, in fact, said they had changed their minds due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant around the world. A decision that weighs, but never as much as that of Lenovo, recognized for years as one of the protagonists of the event. Indeed, it is also added to the list of absent companies Waymo, Alphabet’s autonomous auto unit, which has announced that it will virtually attend some CES appointments anyway. But it’s not over yet.
Intel will be the other grand assente al CES 2022. In fact, in these hours, the company announced that it is moving to reduce its physical presence in Las Vegas as much as possible. “After consulting with health officials and in the spirit of Intel’s security policy, our plans for CES will shift to a live digital-first experience with minimal on-site personnel.” This is the announcement of the company, which appears to be sharing its plans with General Motors, another absent of the event. But wait to be amazed, because now there are two names that can really represent a bad blow to the real success of the CES in Las Vegas.
Google will not be present at the event. This is the latest announcement released by the technological giant: “After careful consideration, we decided not to be present at the CES 2022 show floor. We closely monitored the development of the Omicron variant and decided that this is the best choice for the health and safety of our teams “. And to follow, too Microsoft. “After reviewing the latest data on the rapidly changing COVID environment, Microsoft has decided not to attend CES 2022 in person.” In short, the big names in technology seem unwilling to put their employees’ health at risk. At this point the question arises: what will happen at CES in the next few days?
CES: whether it will or not?
Despite the many absences, the Consumer Technology Association, which has always been involved in organizing the CES, would still seem willing to carry out the event in person. “Given the CES comprehensive health measures – mandatory vaccination, mask and availability of COVID 19 testing -, along with less participation and social distancing measures, we are confident that attendees and exhibitors can have a socially spaced but useful event and productive in Las Vegas, plus a rewarding experience on our digital access “. So the association stated about the actual start of CES 2022.
Yet in the meantime the Omicron variant seems to be pressing in every corner of our planet. Not surprisingly, scientists have repeatedly declared that it is a highly transmissible strain. Last Monday, the variant accounted for 73 percent of all new U.S. cases in the week ending December 18. A considerable percentage, which rightly worries the great technological giants, who have thus decided to withdraw their participation. Despite this, the CES will take place. Or so it seems. We just have to wait for new updates, hoping that there will be no other absences.