Hopefully someone with the Convention Center or Visitor’s Bureau has already picked up on this story: CES could be leaving Las Vegas (santone006 posted it here on ColumbusUnderground.com yesterday).
For those unfamiliar with the abbreviation, CES is the annual Consumer Electronics Show held every January in Las Vegas to show off the latest in high-tech gadgetry. Everything from the largest new flat screen TVs to the smallest new ipods can be found there. High profile industry innovators showcase products during keynote speeches alongside celebrity guests and endorsers.
The first show was held in 1967 and has hopped from New York to Chicago to Vegas over the years. But now CES may be looking to relocate again due to the high costs of event hosting and accommodations in Las Vegas. And if there’s one thing that Columbus is… it’s affordable.
CES currently attracts around 140,000 people over the course of four days, which is still smaller than the annual Arnold Classic that Columbus hosts. It shouldn’t be any problem to host CES with the resources we currently have.
And while I’m fully aware that there are dozens of other big conventions that Columbus could stand to attract, I think CES stands out for a few key reasons:
First, of all it’s a technology conference. Bodybuilding is great and all, but consumer electronics have a much more “everyman” type of interest.
Second, it’s heavily covered by national media of all varieties. Every tech blog, magazine, tv show, radio show, podcast, and trade journal point their eyes and ears toward CES and blast their viewers and readers with all types of media coverage. Columbus could use the additional attention and recognition it could bring.
Third, and most importantly, the long term effects it could have on our city. The 315 Tech Corridor has been a recent example of how Columbus can grow and diversify with new types of high-tech industry. The further correlation Columbus could build by hosting a huge technology convention could draw new companies to set up shop here and generate new interest in startup tech companies. The business benefits could even reach outside of the tech firms into more indirect business growth including logistic hubs relocating and growing in and around Columbus.
Anyway, I think it’s at least worth some serious consideration. Could be one more notch in our citywide belt.