CES attendance down 23% this year

We all knew that attendance would be down for the Consumer Electronics Show. Now the Consumer Electronics Association, which puts on CES, has confirmed just how down it was.

Based on preliminary estimates, the CEA said, more than 110,000 people attended the conference last week in Las Vegas. That's far fewer than the 130,000 the group conservatively predicted for this year and 23 percent off the 141,150 who attended last year. And last year was down from the 143,695 who attended in 2007.

It's not really too much of a surprise given the economy. You could see it around Las Vegas, which seemed less crowded, or hear it from any cabbie, who grumbled that there wasn't enough business to go around. It also felt lighter on the show floor, both in attendees and booths. There were even empty spots on the floor, which suggests companies got out late in the game.

I talked to one entertainment company executive who said his firm cut its normally 100-plus CES contingent by 60 percent in the last month before the show. This was a common tactic among companies.

You knew this was the case when there were still deals on hotels to be had right before the show. Normally, you have to arrange accommodations more than a month in advance.

There were still parties, but they weren't as extravagant.

The final audited numbers will be released in 90 days.

This article appeared on page D - 1 of the San Francisco Chronicle