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CES History

For 60 years, CES® has been the most powerful tech event in the world — the proving ground for breakthrough technologies and global innovators.

Six Decades of Innovation

Celebrating 60 years of CES, as we look forward to what's next.

From the first home VCR and the CD player to the Xbox, OLED TVs, autonomous vehicles and AI, CES has been the stage where the world's most defining technologies made their debut — evolving alongside the industry and helping solve the world's biggest challenges to benefit society.

CES launched in 1967, when Jack Wayman brought together manufacturers to showcase the future of consumer electronics in New York City. Today, CES draws 148K+ attendees and 4100+ exhibitors from across the globe, all converging to move technology forward, together.

CES founder Jack Wayman surrounded by technology in 1988. Wayman joined EIA in 1962 as staff director and later became staff vice president of the Consumer Products Division. He went on to launch CES in 1967.
CES founder Jack Wayman surrounded by technology in 1988. Wayman joined EIA in 1962 as staff director and later became staff vice president of the Consumer Products Division. He went on to launch CES in 1967.

Where Innovation Never Stops

  • June 1967

    The Beginning of CES

    From June 25-28, 1967, the very first CES opened in New York! It occupied  100,000+ sq. ft., attracting 100+ exhibitors and 17,000 attendees. Exhibits included pocket radios & TVs with integrated circuits.

  • January 1978

    CES Finds Its Home in Las Vegas

    Beginning with the January 1978 Winter CES, Las Vegas became the permanent home of the world's most powerful tech show. The city's sprawling convention facilities and round-the-clock energy made it the ideal backdrop for an ever-growing event. By 1998, CES consolidated to one annual show — exclusively in Las Vegas — where it has remained ever since.

  • June 2022

    CTA Kicks of the Human Security for All (HS4A) Campaign

    To highlight the critical role of technology in support of human security worldwide, CTA aligned with the World Academy of Art and Science (WAAS) to launch the HS4A campaign. The campaign, backed by the United Nations, took center stage at CES 2023 when, for the first time, the show was themed to underscore UN-defined human security for all.

Coming In 2027

CES marks 60 years of innovation — and sets its sights on the next six decades to come.

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Featured Content

  • Article

    From Las Vegas to Shanghai: CES Asia® and 60 Years of CES® Innovation

    As CES prepares to mark its 60th anniversary in Las Vegas, it’s a moment not just to celebrate longevity, but to reflect on how CES has continually evolved to meet the global moment. Over six decades, CES has grown from a U.S.-based trade show into the world’s most powerful technology event — shaping industries, spotlighting innovation and expanding its reach far beyond Nevada. One of the most ambitious chapters in that global expansion was CES Asia.

  • Article

    CES, the World’s Gaming Showcase

    Tetris. Xbox. Atari. Nintendo. Oculus. They all debuted at CES. Since 1975, the biggest news in the world of gaming has been broken at CES. As the industry evolves through innumerable technical innovations, consumers are learning, healing, playing and profiting from gaming feats of creativity and technical acumen first unveiled at CES.

    Gaming and Esports
  • Page

    Human Security for All (HS4A)

    The Human Security for All (HS4A) page highlights CES’s partnership to showcase how technology advances eight pillars of human security and features related CES 2026 awards and conference programming.

CTA Produced Events

In addition to the annual CES® in Las Vegas, CTA has produced a variety of international events over the years including;

International Events

  • SINOCES, 2005-2011, Qingdao, China
  • CES Hometech Dubai, 2007-2008, Dubai, UAE
  • CES Asia, 2015-2019, Shanghai, China
  • CES Unveiled, 2005-2025 in the following cities;
  • Amsterdam
  • Las Vegas
  • London
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Prague
  • Sao Paolo
  • Shanghai
  • Stockholm
  • Tel Aviv
  • Tokyo
  • Warsaw