Reading between the lines and the actual comments mentioning it, attendance at the CES was down noticeably this year. (around 110,000 instead of 141,000 last year) That's attendees (not exhibitors), and that's massive.
The economy and the CES's high prices for exhibitors have driven away many companies. The CES glosses that over, only telling us about the 300 new exhibtors, but not the number of companies that have down-sized or dumped the CES altogether.
So what does the CES do? They add their "spin" to the news. Quality over quantity (in attendees as well as exhibitors) Exhibitors quoted as saying they like less traffic (Right!! roll of eyes ) as it gives them more time to spend with people "they really want to see". (Funny, I thought they went there for as much exposure as they could get!)
Now CES is talking about charging a $100.00 pre-registration fee to attendees to keep the quality of attendees higher. What a crock!! That's a money grab!! As if $100.00 fee will keep someone away who is willing to spends hundreds or a thousand dollars to fly there and stay at a hotel. (Not!)
It's all about money; that's all the CES cares about. If attendance is down, they'll get it somewhere else, this time, in the name of a bullsh*t idea to get "quality attendees".
I guess the rebel T.H.E. Show isn't going to die just yet...
