CES, the world’s largest technology trade show, does not have “the same support from the UK government as other countries provide”, the event’s organiser has said. Gary Shapiro, chief executive of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), the US-based trade body which organises the annual convention in Las Vegas, said it was “a shame” and “doesn’t make sense” that UK engagement in the show had dropped off, despite plenty of “potential” in the country’s tech sector.
The trade show sees thousands of tech firms – as well as around 100,000 attendees, including industry executives and media – see thousands of new products and services announced over the course of the four-day show. It is seen as one of the key events in the tech industry calendar and is one of the largest shows of its kind, with a particular focus on smaller firms looking for a place to showcase their innovations.
Every major European country is there - France is big, but so is the Netherlands, and even Ukraine might be bigger than the UK. “This is where CEOs come to meet each other and to see what innovation can help grow their companies and their processes,” Mr Shapiro told the PA news agency.
“We are the largest technology event in the world by far, almost by every measure. “We’re not a consumer event, we’re definitely the largest business event in the United States, and every year we get the most international visitors – we’ll have over 50,000 people from outside the United States.”.
