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CES 2026 Reports 4% Increase in Participation

The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) has announced the independently audited attendance data for CES 2026, revealing a noteworthy 4% rise in participation. Held in Las Vegas, this year's event attracted a total of 148,392 attendees, further cementing its status as the world's premier technology showcase.

Significance of the Growth

In a recent statement, Gary Shapiro, President and CEO of the CTA, expressed pride in achieving this growth despite a challenging year for the trade show industry. He emphasized that these results underscore not only the resilience of in-person events but also the crucial role CES plays in uniting innovators, policy makers, and business leaders to shape the future of technology. Shapiro elaborated that the CES continues to act as a pivotal venue for businesses to network, launch products, form partnerships, and enhance their brand visibility.

Demographics and Highlights

The CES 2026 audit indicates a diverse and engaged audience, including:

• - 55,841 international participants from 141 countries, making CES a leading platform for global market entry and business deals.
• - Over 4,100 exhibitors showcasing innovations across a net exhibit space exceeding 2.6 million square feet, including around 1,200 startups in the Eureka Park.
• - 307 Fortune 500 companies presence.
• - 7,037 media representatives, content creators, and industry analysts covering the latest innovations across the exhibition floor.

Notably, 2,162 investors explored potential breakthroughs in Eureka Park, while 189 prominent politicians and decision-makers focused on the intersection of technology and policy.

Moreover, the event featured over 400 conference sessions that sparked dialogue among 1,400 speakers, showcasing the thought leadership present at CES 2026.

Focus on Emerging Technologies

The audit highlights key interests driving attendance:

• - Artificial Intelligence: Attracting 39,929 visitors (up 22% from last year), exploring its potential impact across the CES floor.
• - Robotics: With 19,605 attendees engaging with automation, humanoids, and intelligent systems, reflecting a growth of 26%.
• - Marketing and Advertising: Attracting 13,433 visitors this year, a 10% increase.

Kinsey Fabrizio, President of the CTA, emphasized the importance of credible, independently verified metrics for CMOs and executives making investment decisions concerning time and resources.

The Importance of Independent Audits

The CES attendance figures are verified by an independent third party, exceeding the auditing standards set by UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry. Independent verification is vital for building trust, ensuring data accuracy, and promoting transparency among all stakeholders. The CTA strongly encourages exhibitors to request independent audits for better credibility in events they participate in.

The comprehensive audit report for CES 2026 is available online, demonstrating the event's success as the largest vetted annual economic gathering in the tech world. CES will return to Las Vegas from January 6 to 9, 2027.

About CES

CES is renowned globally as the leading technology event, serving as a launchpad for groundbreaking technologies and global innovators. It is where some of the world's largest companies make deals and meet new partners, with influential innovators taking the stage to share their insights.

Organized by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), CES encompasses all aspects of the tech sector. To learn more, visit CES.tech and keep up with the latest updates on social media.

About the Consumer Technology Association

As North America's largest technology association, the CTA leads the tech sector with a membership comprising the world's top innovators—from startups to global brands—contributing to the preservation of over 17 million jobs in the U.S. The CTA is the owner and producer of CES, the most influential tech event worldwide. For more information, visit CTA.tech and follow @CTAtech.