CTA Holds Pre-CES Briefing in Gangnam
"After the U.S., Korea Has the Largest Presence," Emphasizing Its Importance
CES Foundry to Launch, New Innovation Award Categories Added
The Consumer Technology Association (CTA), which organizes CES, the world's largest home appliance and IT exhibition, stated that it will provide maximum support to address concerns regarding U.S. visas ahead of CES 2026, ensuring that there will be no issues.
On the 24th, CTA held a press conference at Chosun Palace in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, introducing the vision of CES and the theme of CES 2026, "Innovators Show Up." During the Q&A session, Kinsey Fabricio, Chairman of CTA, responded to questions about concerns from media outlets and companies regarding difficulties in obtaining visas to attend CES. She said, "We are making every effort to provide as much information as possible to participating companies," and added, "Since related information is changing rapidly, we will meet with government officials to obtain the most accurate information and post it on the CES 2026 website."
Gary Shapiro, CEO of CTA, also commented, "The incident involving arrest and detention in Georgia, United States, is truly unfortunate. Many people, including government officials, believe it was a mistake, and investment from Korea is welcomed." He continued, "While we do not expect any serious visa issues, we ask both the media and companies to apply for visas at least a month in advance. We will also establish communication channels to ensure that Korean media and companies can attend without any problems."
Gary Shapiro, CEO of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), held a press conference on the 24th at Chosun Palace in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, introducing the vision of CES and the theme of CES 2026, "Innovators Show Up." CTA.
CES is held every January in Las Vegas, United States, where global tech leaders gather to showcase innovative technologies for a sustainable future and discuss the direction of technology and industry. CES 2026 will take place from January 6 to 9 next year at the Las Vegas Convention Center. For this event, Lisa Su, CEO of AMD, and Yang Yuanqing, CEO of Lenovo, will deliver keynote speeches, with more speakers to be announced in the future.
CEO Shapiro emphasized the partnership with Korea, stating, "Korean companies have been attending CES for a long time, beginning with LG Electronics in 1967." Zenith, an American home appliance company, became a subsidiary of LG Electronics when it was acquired by LG in 1995.
He added, "Korea is a global hub of innovation, leading the way with technologies that are reshaping the world. Hundreds of Korean companies stand out every year by participating in the CES exhibition hall and the startup exhibition zone, Eureka Park. I am very pleased to visit Korea again to discuss major global challenges together and to collaborate with many Korean companies that are leading the technology industry."
From the left, Gary Shapiro, CEO of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), Kinsey Fabricio, Chairman of CTA, and John Kelly, Vice President of CTA and CES Exhibition Director. CTA.
John Kelly, Vice President of CTA and CES Exhibition Director, also expressed his expectations, saying, "Apart from the United States, Korea has the largest number of participating companies. Korean companies are sweeping various innovation awards, and many Korean media outlets are also attending."
For next year’s event, Samsung Electronics will, for the first time, set up a separate space at the nearby Wynn Hotel instead of the main CES exhibition hall at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). Regarding this, CEO Shapiro stated, "The Wynn Hotel is also one of the many venues for CES and is considered part of CES. Samsung has played an important role at CES and is active in various fields, so it seems they decided to present one grand vision in a single space."
CTA will launch the "CES Foundry" at next year's CES, bringing together next-generation technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and quantum computing in one place for demonstrations, networking, and conferences. In addition, new innovation award categories will be introduced, including EdTech, enterprise tech, video production and distribution, supply chain and logistics, and travel and tourism.
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