The boss of CES, the world’s biggest trade show which kicked off in Las Vegas this week, says that the UK has less of a presence than even Ukraine.
Gary Shapiro is chief executive of the Consumer Technology Association, a US trade body which organises the annual Consumer Electronics Show.
He said the event does not have “the same support from the UK government as other countries provide”.
“This is where CEOs come to meet each other and to see what innovation can help grow their companies and their processes,” Shapiro told the PA news agency.
“We are the largest technology event in the world by far, almost by every measure.
“We’re not a consumer event, we’re definitely the largest business event in the United States, and every year we get the most international visitors – we’ll have over 50,000 people from outside the United States.
“The UK used to be much more engaged, frankly.
“If you go around the Eureka Park [at the convention], every major European country is there – France is big, but so is the Netherlands, and even Ukraine might be bigger than the UK.
“I don’t think [CES] has the same support from the government that other countries provide, which is interesting because the UK actually has a lot of tech innovation and potential.
“You’re such a close ally, it’s kind of crazy, it doesn’t make any sense… I can’t explain it.”
Other major international trade shows include Web Summit in Portugal and other countries; LEAP in Saudi Arabia; and Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
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