The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) just announced that CES—the world’s biggest consumer electronics show that was scheduled for January 6-9 in Vegas next year—is canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, CES 2021 will be presented as “an all-digital experience” on the same dates.

CES attendees and vendors alike are no doubt feeling both a bit of disappointment as well as relief at the thought of not being gathered in the same place as thousands and thousands of other people from all over the world as COVID-19 rages on. CES 2020, according to the CTA, drew over 170,000 attendees and more than 4,400 exhibiting companies across more than 2.9 million net square feet of floor space. 

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“Amid the pandemic and growing global health concerns about the spread of COVID-19, it’s just not possible to safely convene tens of thousands of people in Las Vegas in early January 2021 to meet and do business in person,” stated CTA president/CEO Gary Shapiro.

“Technology helps us all work, learn and connect during the pandemic — and that innovation will also help us reimagine CES 2021 and bring together the tech community in a meaningful way,” Shapiro added. “By shifting to an all-digital platform for 2021, we can deliver a unique experience that helps our exhibitors connect with existing and new audiences.”

As recently as late June, the trade group had announced that it had still been planning to hold a scaled-down version CES in Vegas early next year, with safety protocols in place, including sanitation stations, contactless scans at entry points and on-site medical aid. Today’s news of a digital-only event for 2021 includes CTA’s plans to return to Las Vegas for CES 2022, combining, it says, “the best elements of a physical and digital show.”

In-depth programming details for the virtual 2021 show will be announced at a later date, according to CTA, but right now plans seems to include, “a highly personalized online experience with keynotes and conferences, product showcases and demos, and meetings and networking.”