Attending CES for the first time was an incredible experience for the FeedCheck team, and a milestone across many fronts: first time in the USA, first time in Vegas, and first time meeting and talking to Americans face to face after many years of collaborating remotely.
It was a week of non-stop learning, networking, and being at the center of innovation (which was pretty damn cool). But like any first-time experience, we walked away with a list of lessons learned and things we wish we’d known before stepping on the show floor.
If you’re planning on attending CES for the first time, read on to see what we learned, and what we’d do differently next time around.
FeedCheck’s mission at CES
At FeedCheck, we specializae in review aggregation and online review management for companies selling on multiple online marketplaces. Managing customer feedback across platforms can be time-consuming and overwhelming, which is why we developed a platform to aggregate customer reviews seamlessly.
But we don’t just stop at collection. FeedCheck provides advanced tools for online reputation management for brands. Our review monitoring tool offers detailed analytics and reports that measure customer sentiment, uncover trending topics in reviews, and highlight competitors’ performance. Our features include translation services, word clouds, generative AI responses and more, all designed to help brands make informed decisions and manage their online reputation effectively.
We attended CES to better understand how leading consumer brands are managing their online customer reviews. We wanted to learn how much importance they place on their brand reputation, who within the organizations handles online reputation analysis, and how often this process takes place. Of course, we also aimed to connect with brands that could benefit from a review monitoring tool like FeedCheck.
By being front and center with consumer brands and understanding their needs in online brand reputation management, we’re then able to evolve. With the knowledge we took from CES we can better support businesses in tracking, analyzing and responding to online customer reviews across the globe.
Preparation is key
We did our homework leading up to CES – looking into the companies exhibiting, researching the keynote speakers, getting familiar with the maps, keeping tabs on exciting product launches. But something we wish we’d done better was organizing our schedule to maximize efficiency.
CES is massive, more so than you can imagine. With so many companies to meet and booths to explore, it can be easy to get overwhelmed. It is also spread out across multiple venues and pavilions, which can take a long time to navigate. Focus on one area per day to avoid wasting time and energy getting from one place to another.
What worked for us was prioritizing our must-sees. There’s thousands of exhibitors and it’s impossible to visit them all. But creating a shortlist of companies that align with your goals and focus can ensure you don’t get sidetracked.
However, something that we wish we’d done was setting up meetings in advance. Some of the companies exhibiting were solely in meeting rooms discussing business, so find out which ones they are and if they’re of interest to you. If there’s some that you absolutely want to meet with, reach out a few weeks before CES and set up an appointment.
Be ready for all kinds of interactions
CES was a fun and friendly event all around, with everyone generally open to conversation. But you’ll see that not every conversation will lead somewhere – and that’s okay. Some companies are looking for very specific collaborations like distributors, and may not be interested in other kinds of partnerships. Don’t get discouraged and don’t take it personally. There are plenty of other opportunities at every corner of CES.
Having a clear pitch helps a lot. Know what you want to say and why you’re reaching out. A concise introduction to the right person will keep the conversations efficient and impactful. This is something we sort of struggled with on our first day, but we soon got the idea of how things were running. Once we figured out what to say and who to say it to, everything ran much smoother.
And, of course, remember to follow-up in the 2 weeks following the event while memories are still fresh. Timing is everything to keep the momentum alive and the conversation going.
Networking outside of CES
Something we didn’t know ahead of time was the after-hours networking events. We heard that many companies host happy hours, dinners, or parties in the evenings, creating a more relaxed environment for conversations and connections.
We only found out about this too late, so we couldn’t plan for this our first time around. But next year it’s definitely something we want to explore. So if you’re attending CES, keep an eye out for these opportunities – who knows where they might lead?
Pace yourself
Yes, you will be walking a lot. Yes, your feet will hurt a lot by the end. But there are ways to make it more manageable. Take short, frequent breaks instead of powering through. Take every chance to sit down, give your feet a break, and breathe for a minute – your feet will thank you.
On the last day, we felt our feet giving up so we treated ourselves to a break on some massage chairs. Honestly? One of the highlights of that day. We felt refreshed and ready to finish strong. Don’t underestimate the value of moments of self-care.
Pack essentials in carry-on
One thing we didn’t anticipate was our checked bags being delayed. Unfortunately, we didn’t receive them until the end of day 3. So let that be a lesson to you all to pack essentials in your carry-on. Things like pajamas, toiletries, a change of clothes, chargers, and business cards – better to be safe than struggling to find replacements in a time crunch.
Enjoy Las Vegas
Of course, CES is the main reason you’re there, but remember you’re in Las Vegas! The city has so much to offer, from incredible shows to unique attractions, and it’s worth making time to explore.
That said, be realistic. CES days are long, and you’ll be on your feet for hours. The last thing you need in the evenings is more exhausting activities. Balancing the conference with a little down time walking around Vegas can make the whole experience more rewarding.
Reflections
Our first CES experience was truly unforgettable. From connecting with amazing companies to exploring the latest tech innovations, we learned a lot, and it was a week we’ll never forget.
For anyone planning on attending CES, the biggest piece of advice we can give is this: come prepared, stay curious, and don’t forget to listen to your body and take care of yourself. CES is what you make of it, and with the right mindset, it can be an incredible opportunity for learning and connection.