Date Change for CES 2001

In a move that could save exhibitors a considerable amount of money, the 2001 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is being rescheduled for a day earlier than previously announced. Originally planned to run from Sunday, January 7 through Wednesday, January 10, 2001, the show will now begin on Saturday, January 6 and run through Tuesday, January 9.

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) made the announcement February 25. A primary reason for the change is that beginning the show on Sunday would require weekend and overtime construction on displays and booths, and run up total costs to exhibitors by as much as $2.6 million. The scope of the Show grows annually, with displays requiring longer construction time, especially at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Beginning the show on Saturday means that setup will take place primarily during the normal work week.

"Our exhibitors continue to make their exhibits more elaborate and have requested additional time to set up their booths," said Karen Chupka, CEA vice president of events and conferences. "Many exhibitors can't start setting up their booths before January 1. If we moved the show to our normal Thursday start date, the 2001 CES would open on January 4th. By starting on Saturday the 6th, we allow our exhibitors two additional days to set up their booths, while still lowering their overtime costs."

In recent years the 34-year-old CES has begun on Thursdays and run through the following weekend. The first show in 1967, however, opened on a Monday. CES went to weekend opening days in the 1970s and officially opened on Saturday or Sunday through the 1980s. A record 126,818 registered visitors attended the 2000 International CES.

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