C.E.Diss.

Normally, my compatriots and I would be enjoying a fair weekend in Vegas at the Consumer Electronics Show.  Even thought last year was kind of a bomb, due to our being at the show for a scant two hours, we were dead set on returning in full glory this year to take in the new fancy-pants electronics the convention had to offer.

Not so fast.

Last year's entrance was somewhat dubious, as they sought to crack down on actual Consumers being at said show, the organizers required some form of business identification upon entry.  Having none, we were still able to make it in.  I'd like to say it was on 90% charm, but the reality is, it was the last day so who cares who comes in.  At any rate, I figured this year would be a bit more difficult again, but that was the least of our worries.

In an effort to cut down on all the riff-raff, CES decided to schedule the conference during the week instead of on the weekend.  Of course, the weekend was always ideal for us, as most business people get paid to enter the convention hall, we do not.  So in essence, they were trying to cut down on the audience participation and instead pack the halls with suits.  What fun for the show, but what a drag for the every day tech-head.

Respectfully, I can imagine how frustrating it must be for the people manning the booths to try and sell their wares in bulk to non-retail attendees, but I feel that the show instead has lost touch.  One of the reasons people love the LA Auto Show is because they actually can see and touch the products they've been hearing about for so long.  Yes, it's costly to try and keep up with the large number of attendees, but where do your profits come from if there aren't enough people to spend money?

Even so, I imagine this really isn't a problem for the convention at all.  I'd really hate to see CES go the way of the Electronics Entertainment Expo though, which shuttered its doors after exhibitors claimed the cost of attending was too high.  I still think the excitement would ramp up and costs could have been eliminated had the show gone to a ticketed event.

On the other hand, maybe it would end up like Comic-Con and the parking, entering, and navigating could be a nightmare.