CES 2026 Overview
CES (Consumer Electronics Show) remains the world's most influential technology event, attracting over 180,000 attendees and 4,500+ exhibitors annually. Planning for CES 2026 should begin at least 12-18 months in advance.
CES 2026 Key Dates:
January 7-10, 2026
Las Vegas Convention Center + Venetian Expo
Expected attendance: 180,000+Booth Design Strategies
Your booth is your brand's home at the trade show. Effective booth design should:
Maximize Visibility:
Use vertical elements to stand out
Incorporate dynamic lighting
Create Instagram-worthy moments
Use bold graphics visible from 30+ feetEncourage Engagement:
Interactive product demonstrations
VR/AR experiences
Live presentations every 30 minutes
Comfortable meeting spacesOptimize Flow:
Clear entry and exit points
Designated demo stations
Private meeting rooms
Storage for attendee materialsLead Capture Best Practices
The average trade show lead costs $150-$300 to acquire. Maximize your investment with:
1. Digital badge scanning - Capture leads in seconds
Qualification questions - Score leads on the spot
Incentives - Offer value for contact information
Real-time sync - Push leads to CRM immediately
Follow-up scheduling - Book meetings before they leaveStaffing Your Booth
Staff-to-Attendee Ratio:
10x10 booth: 2-3 staff
20x20 booth: 4-6 staff
Island booth: 8-12 staffStaff Training:
Product knowledge sessions
Lead qualification criteria
Booth etiquette guidelines
Competitive intelligence briefingPre-Show Marketing
Start marketing 8-12 weeks before the show:
- Email campaigns - Target existing customers and prospects
Social media - Build anticipation with teasers
Appointment setting - Schedule meetings in advance
Press outreach - Pitch story angles to media
Influencer partnerships - Arrange booth visitsOn-Site Logistics
Installation & Dismantle (I&D):
Book union labor early
Allow 2-3 days for installation
Plan for overnight security
Schedule dismantle immediately after showShipping:
Use advance warehouse shipping
Track all shipments
Have backup materials on-site
Plan return shipping before showPost-Show Follow-Up
The fortune is in the follow-up:
Within 24 Hours:
Send thank-you emails
Share promised content
Connect on LinkedInWithin 1 Week:
Call hot leads
Schedule demos
Send personalized proposalsWithin 1 Month:
Nurture warm leads
Analyze results
Plan for next yearMeasuring Trade Show ROI
Calculate your trade show ROI with this formula:
ROI = (Revenue Generated - Total Cost) / Total Cost × 100
Track these metrics:
Total leads captured
Qualified leads percentage
Meetings scheduled
Deals closed (within 6 months)
Media coverage value
Social media impressions---
Need Trade Show Support for CES 2026?
WOMAP provides full-service trade show management in Las Vegas, from booth design to lead capture to post-show analytics. Contact us to start planning your CES 2026 presence.
