CES does not allow Russian companies to display their products at the annual tech show because of the invasion of Ukraine.
A spokeswoman for the Consumer Technology Association, the industry group that hosts the event in Las Vegas, said the move only affected one potential exhibitor.
There were no Russian exhibitors at last year’s exhibition, but in 2021 there were effectively four companies participating, a spokesperson said. The US is one of about 30 countries that have imposed sanctions on Russia over its aggression.
CTA president and CEO Gary Shapiro has previously called the Russian aggression a “tragic and illegal attack on the people of Ukraine and an independent state,” prompting some Ukrainian tech companies and startups to move to Las Vegas. It said it would showcase its gadgets at the show.
“A lot of people around the world want to help Ukraine,” Shapiro said in an interview, wearing a Ukrainian flag pin on the lapel of his jacket. “I know that her wife is actively looking for Ukrainian products that she can order, and I bought them directly from Ukraine.”
The tech show is expected to attract up to 100,000 attendees by the time it concludes on Sunday. The event kicked off Tuesday night with media previews from just a few of his 3,000 companies who signed up to attend.
CES officially opens on Thursday and is open to media and other tech industry insiders, but not the general public.
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