Know Before You Go: Winning Strategies for Exhibitors at CES 2026

Derse | July 8, 2025

CES 2026 is fast approaching, and brands are already deep into planning mode.

With over 141,000 attendees and 4,000+ exhibitors in 2025, the challenge is clear: how does your brand stand out in the chaos?

The answer lies in being prepared with data-driven insights, disruptive experiences, and a rock-solid event marketing plan. That’s where we come in. We’ve distilled the hottest CES exhibitor strategies into this blog post, directly from our exclusive CES 2025 Trends Report. From AI to sustainability, these are the moves your brand should be making at the next CES.

Want all the insights?

Download the full CES 2025 Trends Report + watch our strategy-packed webinar.

Top Exhibitor Strategies to Win at CES 2026

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Bosch’s “Coded like a Bosch” campaign featuring action sports star Danny Mac, drew massive crowds to their exhibit with their pre-show marketing strategy.

1. 360° MARKETING MAXIMIZES BOOTH TRAFFIC 

CES isn’t just a 4-day event; it’s a months-long campaign.

 

  • Start early. The battle for mindshare and attention begins before badges are even printed.
  • Build a 360° marketing plan: pre-show teasers, live show engagement, and post-show nurturing should all be locked and loaded.
  • Use every channel: PR buzz, targeted social ads, influencer collabs, and email marketing should align with your exhibit goals.
  • Follow up fast: Lead nurturing post-CES is often overlooked—don’t miss the opportunity to convert booth traffic into long-term business.
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LG’s campaign “Affectionate Intelligence” made waves with attendees by organizing the experience journey around the time of day and the AI products that align with user activity.

2. AI IS EVERYWHERE; CLARITY IS EVERYTHING

AI is in nearly every aisle at CES. But how you communicate your AI capabilities can make or break attendee engagement.

 

  • Cut through the hype: Be clear about your product's real-world value.
  • Show, don’t tell: Let visitors experience AI in action. Skip the slide deck—bring demos and real-world use cases.
  • Set expectations: CES audiences are savvy. Overhyping future promises can backfire.
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Flint Paper Battery utilized recycled cardboard in the construction of their booth. Demonstrating to attendees that they practice what they preach.

3. SUSTAINABILITY: GO BEYOND THE BUZZWORD

Attendees are no longer impressed by vague sustainability claims.

 

  • Design sustainably: From materials to logistics, show attendees that sustainability is the foundation of your exhibit, not bolted on.
  • Make it tactile: Showcase real, tangible ways your product or process reduces waste, emissions, or resource use.
  • Authenticity wins: Greenwashing gets sniffed out fast. Attendees are looking for receipts.
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Clarios maximized their floor plan and budget with ground-supported structures and a double-decker equipped with meeting rooms, making room for an epic aisle attraction.

4. EXHIBIT DESIGN: SMART > BIG

Bigger doesn’t mean better. Smarter always wins.

 

  • Be intentional: Consider traffic flow, neighboring competitors, and floor plan dynamics when designing your booth and selecting a location.
  • Think vertically: Use ground-supported structures to reduce rigging costs, streeetch your budget, and maximize visibility.
  • Design to invite: Open, interactive spaces can outperform closed concepts in both engagement and dwell time.

Let’s Talk CES Exhibit Strategy

 

Whether you're reimagining your booth experience, in need of support, or building your CES presence from scratch, our team of event marketing specialists is ready to help.

 

Let’s get started!

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