CES 2014 Breaks Record as Largest Show to Date

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By Adario Strange2014-01-11 21:26:41 UTC

Contrary to recent stories that hint at the International CES' possible decline, the annual technology show broke a new record this month, according to organizers.

The Consumer Electronics Association, which organizes the Las Vegas-based event, said Friday that this year’s CES was the largest show in its history. The CEA claimed that the event, which hosted the presentations of 3,200 exhibitors, covered a record two million net square feet of exhibit space.

See also: Mashable's Best Tech of CES 2014

The year’s event drew a large number of celebrities, including director (and poor public speaker) Michael Bay, Star Trek’s LeVar Burton and several other big names in film, television and music.

Major trends this year at CES included wearable devices and 4K smart televisions. In general, the 2014 event featured devices that seamlessly marry technology and lifestyle in ways mainstream consumers can appreciate.

And for anyone wondering why a technology show held in the middle of the desert in the U.S. is called the “international” CES, the CEA also revealed that of the 150,000 attendees, about 35,000 (23%) were from outside of the U.S.

“One-third of the world’s population interacted with CES in some way this week, as we experienced the future,” Gary Shapiro, president of the CEA, said in a statement.

These stats suggest that CES is not only still relevant, but also growing in importance.

“From curved and flexible Ultra HD TVs and next-generation smartphones to drones, robots, sensors, the Internet of Everything, Hi-Res audio, connected cars and 3D printers, it seems like the only thing missing from the 2014 CES was a time-travel machine,” Shapiro said.

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Image: Joe Klamar/AFP/Getty Images

Topics: CES, Events, Marketing, Tech