Consumer Electronics Show 2026 (CES) Prelude

I am attending the Consumer Electronics show again this year.  I started attending in 2014 and did 7 consecutive years, then covid hit and I haven’t been back, well I am back now. Let’s see what has changed. 

140K+ Attendees

CES is widely regarded as the largest technology convention in the world, drawing more than 140,000 attendees and spreading across the entire city of Las Vegas.  Generally viewed as the largest convention and by far the largest technology convention.

CES – Personal History & Perspective

CES (the Consumer Electronics Show) began in 1967 in New York City, originally focused on televisions, radios, and home audio. From the start, it was less about retail sales and more about showing where consumer technology was heading.

In the 1970s, CES expanded rapidly as electronics entered more homes. By 1978, the show split into Winter CES (Las Vegas) and Summer CES (Chicago). This era introduced major breakthroughs like the VCR, compact disc, and early video game consoles, turning CES into the place where new formats and standards were unveiled.

The 1990s marked the digital transition. CES showcased early DVD players, HDTV, digital cameras, and home PCs. Technology was no longer just entertainment—it was becoming essential to everyday life.

In 2003, CES consolidated into a single annual January event in Las Vegas, which helped it grow into a truly global technology showcase. The 2000s were dominated by flat-panel TVs, HDMI, early smartphones, and portable GPS devices.

My First CES

Growing up I always wanted to attend a CES and I followed it in the news.  I finally got my chance to attend myI first  CES in 2014. I was able to leverage my Mr. Handyman business to be an industry attendee as the public is not allowed at this show, only industry affiliated attendees.  Since Mr. Handyman did smart home installations, we qualified.  At that point, the show was still filled with massive TVs and consumer gadgets, but the bigger shift was obvious: connectivity. Smart homes were becoming practical, cars were turning into rolling computers, and software mattered as much as hardware.

Since then, CES has evolved into a showcase for AI, electric and autonomous vehicles, digital health, sustainability, and immersive technology. It’s no longer just about products—it’s about entire ecosystems.

CES feels like a living timeline of innovation. Long before my first visit in 2014—and every year since—it’s been a place where the future quietly appears before the rest of the world catches up.

I can’t wait to see what 2026 has in store. I haven’t been here since Covid and I join the show here with my brother for the first time. 

Follow my blog as I explore the new technology and compare it to what I saw in 2014.

Here are some pictures of some of the people I have attended the show with over the years.