CES® 2026 Insider Survival Guide

CES Survival Hacks: From Lenovo’s Sphere keynote to networking tricks that reporters actually notice — the insider’s guide.

Quick read: This guide shares proven CES® hacks to survive and win: from zoning your day and staying sober (game-day rules) to using swag as icebreakers and voice notes to capture insights. Learn media secrets I’ve used to land coverage in dozens of top media outlets. Conducting newsworthy surveys, identifying reporters on the move, and hosting dinners with top journalists. CES isn’t just about gadgets. It’s about people, stories, and connections that can define your career long after Vegas lights dim.

Why Listen to Me?

I’m Mitch Goldstone, CEO & Chief Photo Archivist at ScanMyPhotos. My first CES was in 1990, back when Commodore rolled out the CDTV — a mash-up of computer, CD player, and TV. It was bulky, awkward, and way ahead of its time. Most people barely remember it, but for me, it was a defining moment. It showed that technology is nothing without meaningful content. That realization shaped my entire career. For the past 36 years, I’ve been preserving photo memories at ScanMyPhotos, making sure that stories, not just gadgets, survive.

CES is the world’s biggest tech event, first held in 1967 in New York with just 200 exhibitors. Now staged every January in Las Vegas, it attracts over 200,000 attendees and thousands of companies launching everything from AI and robotics to health tech, TVs, and gaming. CES has been the debut stage for icons like the VCR, DVD, HDTV, and Xbox, but it’s not just about gadgets — it’s about people. The real power of CES comes from the connections, conversations, and partnerships formed in the halls, lobbies, and lines, where the future of tech and business is written.

Over the decades, CES has become my classroom, my proving ground, and my playground. I’ve walked those LVCC and all exhibits (favorite is Eureka Park for startups at the Sands Convention Center at The Venetian). Back then, I was the wide-eyed rookie, lugging press kits heavier than laptops. I would get access to the media center and place them EVERYWHERE! Over the years, I watched as entire industries were born, thrived, or vanished. I’ve also been on the other side of the story — pitching reporters, earning national media coverage, and even watching my own ideas go viral. One of my favorite milestones? In 2021, when CES went almost entirely digital during the pandemic, I was literally the only person inside the halls in Las Vegas, confirmed by Digital Trends. Picture this: empty halls, masked guards, and me — camera in hand. That surreal moment reinforced something I’ve always believed: CES isn’t about crowds, it’s about showing up prepared and ready to connect.

That’s why I built this guide. CES can feel overwhelming even for veterans, but with the right playbook, you can flip chaos into connections and turn a week in Vegas into a year’s worth of momentum.

CES 2026 Survival Hacks

1. Master the CES App Like a Pro

The official CES app is your lifeline. It’s not just a schedule — it’s a command center. Tag exhibitors, star keynotes, and set push alerts. If you rely on luck, you’ll wander aimlessly. If you rely on the app, you’ll move with precision.

2. Zone Out (The Smart Way)

The CES footprint is enormous. We’re talking multiple convention centers, hotels, and off-site events. If you try to bounce between locations, you’ll waste hours in the CES shuttle buses, Ubers, or trekking across the Strip. Divide your day into zones — maybe start at LVCC in the morning, hit the Venetian in the afternoon, then swing to Aria in the evening. Less wandering means more conversations, and trust me, your feet will thank you.

3. Don’t Miss Lenovo at the Sphere

One of the biggest draws for CES 2026 is Lenovo’s Tech World keynote on January 6 at 5 PM PT. For the first time, it’s happening at the Sphere — the most jaw-dropping venue in Las Vegas. Expect AI-powered visuals wrapping 360 degrees around you, paired with announcements that will shape the year ahead. The catch? The line can swallow half your day. My advice: decide in advance whether the networking opportunities in line are worth it (they often are — everyone there matters), or whether you’d rather catch the highlights on TikTok and save those hours for face-to-face meetings. Either way, this is one of the can’t-miss events of CES.

4. Recharge Pits Are Non-Negotiable

CES is sensory overload. By mid-afternoon, even veterans feel fried. Schedule recharge pits every couple of hours. Grab a water, sit down, review your notes, and reset your brain. Think of it like hitting the save button on your brain’s hard drive. Without breaks, you’ll crash and burn. With breaks, you’ll stay sharp enough to spot opportunities most people miss.

5. Ask Sharp Questions

Panels are crowded, and speakers are bombarded with forgettable questions. Be the exception. Do your homework. Prep one or two sharp, thoughtful questions for each session you attend. When you raise your hand, you’re not just another spectator — you’re the person who stands out in their memory. That can lead to follow-up conversations and even friendships that last beyond CES. Arrive early and sit front row center. They are reserved, but sit there anyway. I did this for a prior Dr. Lisa Su (AMD CEO) keynote. She is back this year.

6. Schedule Meetings Before CES

CES is not the place to “see what happens.” It’s the place to make things happen. Use the app and LinkedIn to pre-book meetings with your top targets before the show even begins. A 15-minute coffee you schedule today is worth more than hours of aimless wandering later. The difference between rookies and veterans is simple: rookies wing it, veterans book it.

7. Hunt, Don’t Spray

The show floor is a jungle. If you try to see everything, you’ll see nothing. Create a color-coded list of ‘MUST’, SHOULD / NICE-TO-SEE booths. Attack the MUSTs first, then fill in with the rest if time allows. That structure keeps you from getting overwhelmed by shiny distractions.

8. Pack Light and Smart

Rolling bags are banned. Forget the bulky gear. A lightweight backpack, a water bottle, a charger, and space for a few brochures are all you need. I’ve learned the hard way: the more you carry, the less you connect. Travel light, move fast, and stay nimble. Go eco-green and scan the exhibitors’ QR codes for the brochures.

9. Post to All Social Platforms

Don’t limit yourself to X (Twitter). CES is a playground for TikTok, Threads, Insta, and Bluesky. Post short clips, tag companies, and use their hashtags. Their social media teams are glued to these feeds during CES. Tag them with a quick caption like: “Loved meeting [Name] at #CES2026 — congrats on [Product Launch].” You’ll be surprised how often that turns into a repost — and suddenly you’re on their radar at the corporate level. Follow my posts on all channels, including @ScanMyPhotosc.

10. Stay Sober — It’s Game Day

Think of CES like the Super Bowl. Would Mahomes eat gummies before kickoff? Exactly. One slip and you’ll be pitching your big idea while forgetting your own company name. Stay sharp, stay clear. Save the parties for later, when you’ve already nailed the connections that matter.

11. Follow Up Within 24 Hours

The secret sauce of CES isn’t just meeting people. It’s following up fast. Within 24 hours, send a personal note that references something specific you discussed during your meeting. Example: “Loved your take on AI retail.” That one detail makes you unforgettable in a sea of business cards.

12. Ask Chat to summarize the sessions you can’t attend (or are too pricy).

At CES, there are always five must-see sessions running simultaneously. Here’s the hack I use when I can’t clone myself. I copy the session overview, drop it straight into ChatGPT, and ask for a plain-English breakdown. In seconds, I get a cleaner summary, the main points, and three quick action steps. It feels like I was right there in the room, even when I’m across town trying to make another keynote. This trick has saved me more times than I can count, and money! 

Veteran Hacks You Won’t Hear Elsewhere

Now let’s get into the veteran-level stuff — the tricks you only learn after decades on the floor.

The Badge-Scan Waste

Exhibitors spend six figures, scan hundreds of badges, and then… nothing: no follow-up, no relationship, no ROI. I’ve seen it year after year. Don’t repeat that mistake. If you scan a badge, follow up with a personal note. Otherwise, you’ve wasted everyone’s time and your company’s money.

Networking Icebreakers With Swag

Sometimes the best icebreakers are right in front of you. See a booth handing out cookies or funky swag? Use it as an excuse to strike up a conversation. Compliment their setup, snap a photo, tag them on social. Instant connection.

Voice-Note Your Brain

Typing notes is a nightmare at CES. By the time you find a quiet corner, you’ve already forgotten half the details. Use your phone’s voice recorder. Say the booth number, the rep’s name, and one key insight. Later, those quick memos are gold.

Celebrity Encounters

CES is full of big names — Shaq, Mark Cuban, and more. My line is always: “I’m ready to digitize your old photos whenever you are.” It gets a laugh and makes me memorable. And when David Pogue speaks? I’m always front row, center, first in, last out — walking out side by side with him. Those little habits create genuine connections. I remember meeting Nick Woodman when he first attended CES with a tiny ten-foot booth. He shared that his parents gave him $40,000 to show off his new plastic square camera. I was one of the few who got so excited and said this was the best thing I’ve ever seen at CES. Years later, when Nick was at his giant pavilion, I met him and he remembered our earlier encounter. It was GoPro, and the rest is history.

Hover Outside VIP Parties

Not invited? Doesn’t matter. Some of the best networking happens outside the door as people walk in and out. A quick hello there can be more valuable than three hours inside.

Print “Baseball Cards” of Reporters

Here’s my weird but effective hack: download headshots of reporters you want to meet. Print them like baseball cards. Study them. At CES, reporters often hide their badges. If you can spot them first, you have the advantage.

Media Safari Rule

Think of CES as a safari, and reporters are the rare animals. They move fast, often in and out of press rooms. Stand nearby. Catch them as they leave. But do your homework first: read their latest stories, know a personal detail, and start with them — not you. That’s how you stand out in a week where they’re pitched 500 times a day.

Run Your Own Pop-Up Survey

One of my most powerful hacks: run a survey on the spot. Ask attendees one simple, human question. Share the results live on social, then issue a press release. I once asked: “When’s the last time you looked at your old snapshots or slides?” The answer shocked everyone: 96% hadn’t been seen in decades, not since they were first developed. That stat went viral and landed national coverage. CES is your chance to create news, not just consume it.

Snap + Tag = Visibility

Take photos at booths that impress you. Post them across social platforms, tag the company, and mention their launch. Social media teams monitor this like hawks. Get it right, and you’re on their radar — not just as an attendee, but as an ally amplifying their launch.

How to Get Media Coverage at CES

Journalists at CES are unicorns in sneakers. Everyone wants them, but very few catch their attention. Here’s how I’ve done it:

• Craft a 10-Second Hook
• If your pitch can’t be said in 10 seconds — like between escalator rides — it’s too long.
• Props Beat Brochures. I show this video to show how quickly pictures are digitized.
• Bring something visual: a prototype, a nostalgic item, even a quirky sign. Reporters remember props, not PDFs.

Hotel Lobbies Are Media HQ

Forget chasing reporters around booths. Many recharge in hotel lobbies between sessions. Grab a table, order a coffee, and be ready to chat.

Blend Online + Offline

Reporters post constantly during CES. Follow their feeds, reply with something witty or useful, then bump into them in person. It feels natural and builds trust.

Lead With Human Stories

Reporters light up when you skip jargon and talk about people. Example: “One mom cried when she saw her digitized wedding photos.” Humanity sells.

Host a High-Impact Dinner

This is my ultimate pro hack. Invite key journalists or influencers to dinner at one of Vegas’ best restaurants. I once hosted TechCrunch’s top reporter at MGM’s Joël Robuchon for three hours. It wasn’t cheap, but it turned into a lasting friendship — and coverage that money can’t buy. Another time, I connected with the Associated Press’ lead tech reporter. Years later, he wrote a nationally syndicated story about ScanMyPhotos — picked up by 500+ outlets worldwide. Read it here.

The tip: these relationships take years. Be patient. Stay in touch. When it pays off, it’s game-changing.

FAQs About CES 2026

Q: When is CES 2026? A: January 6–9, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Q: What’s new this year? A: Lenovo is moving its flagship Tech World keynote to the Sphere — expect an immersive, history-making event.

Q: How do I get media coverage at CES? A: Keep it short, human, and visual. Use a 10-second hook, props, and real customer stories. Engage reporters online and in person, then follow up quickly.

Final Word

CES isn’t playtime. It’s game day. You’ll walk miles, lose your voice, and get bombarded with more pitches than you can count. Most people walk away with a bag of swag and sore feet. But if you plan smart, focus on connections, and bring patience, you can walk away with opportunities that last for years. I’ve seen trends come and go and watched gadgets that dazzled in Vegas disappear from the shelves within months. What remains are the stories, the relationships, and the content we create and preserve. That’s why I built ScanMyPhotos.com — to make sure those memories live on, long after the CES lights fade. So pack your sneakers, charge your phone, and remember: at CES, you’re not just there to watch the future. You’re there to build it.

Disclaimer: This is an unofficial guide to CES® 2026. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or associated with CES® or the Consumer Technology Association® in any way.