The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) announced this week new and updated policies for #CES2020, a new curated ‘Innovation for All’ programming track, a strategic partnership with Shelley Zalis, CEO, The Female Quotient, what amounts to a ban on so-called ‘booth babes’ and a Sex Tech track.
Karen Chupka, EVP, CES told us “CTA is committed to evolving and continuing to create an experience at CES that is inclusive and welcoming for everyone. We worked with a number of external advisors and partners to update and improve our existing CES policies.”
The policy updates for #CES2020 include:
- Sex Tech: CES 2020 will include tech-based sexual products on a one-year trial basis as part of the Health & Wellness product category or in the Health & Wellness startup area of Eureka Park. Products must be innovative and include new or emerging tech to qualify.
- Dress Code: Booth personnel may not wear clothing that is sexually revealing or that could be interpreted as undergarments. Clothing that reveals an excess of bare skin, or body-conforming clothing that hugs genitalia must not be worn. These guidelines are applicable to all booth staff, regardless of gender. In addition, the existing CES ban on pornography will be strictly enforced with no exceptions for CES 2020.
CTA is committed to the best attendee experience at CES 2020 and has several new initiatives: –
- Partnerships: The Female Quotient (The FQ) will be the official Equality Partner for CES 2020. CTA will work with Shelley Zalis and her team to advance gender equality. The FQ Lounge will be an official part of CES, that will serve as “the unplugged space for panel conversations to advance equality.”
- Programming: A new, curated “Innovation for All” track will take place each day on the CTA Stage, as well as on the CTA Startup Stage in Eureka Park. Programming will include sessions with senior diversity officials on the business case for diversity. CTA’s Diversity and Inclusion team will also curate a diversity roundtable and reception at CES.
- New Opportunities: Following a successful pilot program, the Faces of Innovation: Entrepreneurs Edition startup program will offer women and underrepresented entrepreneurs the opportunity to exhibit in Eureka Park through a grant and free exhibit space.
CES has also developed easily accessible modes for attendees to make suggestions or report concerns to CES management, including safety issues or concerns in connection with the Code of Conduct.
#CES2020 will run Jan. 7-10, 2020, in Las Vegas.