MUST Haves For Attending CES

Whether you’re an enthusiast or a first-time tech contributor, CES is one of the top events of your year. But, some things should be considered before making your first trip to Las Vegas for the massive tradeshow. Here are my top must-haves for your first CES trip, or any CES trip. No particular order, I might add.

Image by Ant Pruitt

Plan EARLY

CES is massive event taking place at multiple locations. Part of your planning needs to include:

  • Where to lodge

  • What/who you want to see

  • Weather forecast

Again, with CES being a massive event covering massive locations, look at where you want to spend your time sleeping while at the event. Most of CES is held near the central strip at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), but there are other events at casino’s such as the Venetian and Mandalay Bay. For my first couple of times at CES, I would stay at Palace Station because it was economical. Then later, I’ve found that staying at “old ‘Vegas” down on Fremont street was even BETTER from an economic standpoint. The rates were great and the rooms were great. Particularly the Golden Nugget or The D. Sure, sometimes you can find good deals at places like Planet Hollywood or Cosmopolitan which are on the central strip. Just check the web and your travel options. Some will yell at you for staying on Fremont street which is about a 15-minute drive from most CES locations. This is fine. Just watch your schedule. Plus, there are CES-sponsored SHUTTLES going from the LVCC to Fremont street at no cost to you as an attendee.

Regarding your schedule or agenda, CES offers a lot of resources on the website to help you figure out who’s in town as an exhibitor. Figure out where they are, then come up with a plan that works best for you.

At the end of the day when the show floor closes, you’re on your own for entertainment or other work-related tasks you may have. For many, this means roaming the strip. Be mindful of the forecast before hand. It can be nice and mild during the day, but then the night time may turn into a frigid wind tunnel on the boulevard. Be prepared.


Quality Shoes

Did I say CES was a massive tradeshow? With that said, you’ll need quality shoes while you’re at CES. No one ever told me this, but I sort of assumed it my first time around. Personally, I pack multiple pairs of sneakers. If you can pack multiple pairs of shoes, do so. If you don’t have quality sneakers, get some before hand. You’ll spend all day walking around the show on concrete flooring. Some of it is carpeted, but it’s not like home carpeting that has an extra layer of padding. It’s just thrown on top of the concrete to reduce sound reverb and for the look. Your feet, knees and back will thank you if you wear quality shoes for the event. This year I packed a couple pair of Atoms*. This company won me (and my family) over during the last couple of years because the shoes are high quality and by far the most comfortable shoes I wear. They even paid my #hardhead to model some of their shoes.


Money, Money, Money

You’ll need money when in ‘Vegas. You’ll need to eat, you’ll need to pay for your rides to and from the different venues if you don’t go with any of the CES-sponsored shuttles (note that the free shuttles don’t always go where I need to go, but goes to most places most will want to go). You’ll need money for incidents. If you want to gamble, you’ll need money for that. Just be prepared. I’ve been fortunate to not have to spend a lot while at CES, if you’re registered as part of the press/media, you can get free breakfast snacks, free lunches and in some instances free dinners. So if you’re able to register as a member of the press/media, do it. Doesn’t cost you anything and your CES ticket is comped.

Patience

You will NEED PATIENCE. CES is going to be loaded with thousands of people attending for their first time. So they’ll be lost, confused or unsure about things. This can make lines for badges, hotel check-ins and more be a little slower. Also, you could do your very best to plan your schedule on how to see the companies you’re interested, but get held up due to traffic or due to the company having another person in the booth asking way too many useless questions. So, be patient. Don’t be a jerk.

I know CES isn’t for everybody, but I do suggest people interested in “seeing the future” first hand to give it a shot. I enjoy seeing the companies large and small. Even the companies that are so small, they could only afford a booth at the back of the venue in the corner. Some crazy stuff back there, but sometimes, some fascinating stuff.

Be well, y’all. Continue to Create and Dominate, but also, do something nice for yourself and for someone else.


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What To Expect at CES 2024

CES is here and some of you care, most of you don’t care, most of the world really cares. For those that don’t know, CES is a massive trade show that happens each year in January at Las Vegas. Thousands of companies large and small come here to show off their products to corporate buyers and consumers alike. For the tech nerd, it’s a pretty cool event to attend. You can get hands-on time with some of your favorite tech items of the previous year that you may not have had access to. Or, you can get a glimpse of new releases for the current year or even concept products. It’s not just laptops, headphones, or even smartphones. It’s all that, everything in between and then some. Cars, agriculture equipment, smart home tech, TVs, circuit boards, doo-hickies to neatly wrap your mic cables around. Seriously. EVERYTHING.

I’ve always enjoyed CES. As a matter of fact, this year I was reminded that my very first time to Las Vegas and CES was ten years ago. It was an incredible experience and opened a lot of doors for me professionally. Gina Smith and team brought me, Mat Lee and others out to cover the event. I remember taking this picture in the central hall because it really encapsulated what I always imagined CES would look like. I’m forever grateful for that trip out here.

Image: Ant Pruitt

Anyway, what to expect at CES this year? Easy, pretty much the same marketing gibberish from 2023 around the world of AI. I swear, EVERY SINGLE EMAIL I’ve gotten from marketing and PR departments about attending CES has had them pitching some form of AI within the first three sentences. Some of it sounds “ok,” and some of it sounds cringy. They should have lead with the second paragraph in this email. . . .

Let me be straight with you, as I always am, I’m pretty tired of talking bout AI. Most of the time when AI is discussed it’s around some gloom and doom or it’s “flowers and sunshine.” There’s hardly any coverage of the middle ground. Quite frankly, the middle ground is rather interesting and worthy of discussion. I spoke previously about AI on Marina Franklin’s podcast. As a comedian and creator, she had great concerns about AI. And I get that. But not all AI is bad, just as not all AI is good. Far as what’s been pitched to me in all these emails from marketing teams, it’s mostly content that makes me ask why is AI even needed for that. “We’re announcing an AI-driven soaker hose for your garden.” Is there something wrong with the timers used on current soaker hoses?

In a bit of better/useful announcements, I did see that Withings launched a new product. I’ve dealt with Withings before as they make smart watches and other smart tech such as scales to aide in fitness tracking. They’ve announced what they’re calling a “multiscope” to assist with home health checkups. Granted, you should always lean on a medical professional, but this BeamO tool can be used for getting vital signs and more.

Image via Withings

I know there will be more than AI discussed at CES, so I still look forward to what’s to come. Samsung announced it’s using AI to upscale what’s seen on your favorite broadcast to almost 8K. I need to see it to believe it. Granted, upscaling AI tools that are currently in place are pretty dadgum good. One of my favorites is Upscayl. But to see upscaling done on-the-fly with a live broadcast (of MOVING frames) will be fascinating. I’ll see if I can get my eyes on it.

I decided to take the trip to Las Vegas and attend CES this year after not being here the last two years. But, this will be a different approach. Usually, when I come to CES it is a GRIND. I’m running around the floor trying to gather images, video, audio, notes to get content created almost on-the-fly. Not this time. I’m here to do my best to shake some hands and do a mental/physical reboot.

Real talk, I need work. I’ve applied for several jobs and gigs. I’ll continue to do so. But I came here because of the relationships. And I’m grateful for the relationships I was able to create over the years at previous CES events. It opened doors. Relationships such as Canon. Real talk, I’m pretty much a NOBODY, but Canon has been REALLY SUPPORTIVE of me for YEARS. I look forward to shooting some street photography with my Canon camera.* So yeah, I’m here to find myself something that will contribute to paying my day-to-day bills and supporting my family’s needs. Then, I’m gonna lay low and just chill out. Maybe go take some pictures here and there, but I’m NOT going to go 200mph like I used to out here. Only about 25mph. My body has been wrecked recently. From having finally catching COVID a couple weeks ago to digestive issues and overall “not quite right” feeling. It’s time to chillout. Side note, be mindful of those “something’s not quite right” moments. I noticed something wasn’t right when I was in the gym. I felt fine, but the lifts I performed were much harder than usual. My body was wrecked and I needed to sit my ass down.

I didn’t tell anyone I was coming to CES because that leads to “hey let’s meet up at ABC or at XYZ and chat.” Granted, it’s nice to see some of the folks I’ve met over the years in person at this annual event, but that usually equated to a LOT of running around and a pretty flooded calendar for me. I have two things on my calendar that I set for myself as MUST DO events. That’s it. I’ll catch up with my man Tom Merritt while here. I’ve already scheduled an appearance on his show next month. That cat has been so supportive of me and other creators of color over the years doing what he can to help provide a bigger megaphone if you will. Nothing but love for him.

But anyway, those are my thoughts and plans for CES 2024. For the rest of the day, I’ll continue to roam the convention center checking out everything get set up up the official open on January 9, 2024. Pretty crazy seeing this perspective. Be well, folks. Do something nice for yourself because you deserve it. Do something nice for someone else. Even if it’s just offering an ear to allow someone to vent for a minute. And, if there’s a creator out there you enjoy, but sure to let them know and share their content with the masses. Not that stupid video of some idiots fighting in Walmart. Share creator’s works to everyone and donate to their funds if you can. It helps.

#CreateAndDominate





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