Advice from 6 French Cluster experts about making connections, building relationships, and reaping the benefits of tech’s premier trade show.
5 simple but crucial tips for success at CES:
Plan as much as you can in advance, especially travel, lodging and whom you’d like to meet.
CES is better as a team! If you can attend with colleagues, partners, or a delegation, you can get a lot more out of the event.
The event is a veritable marathon. Wear sensible shoes, stay hydrated, and bring snacks (seriously!).
Leverage your experience as a CES participant to get the most out of being an exhibitor.
Remember to have FUN! The real work starts when you get home. Remember to follow up.
For all our team’s lessons learned, tips and insights, read on.
CES is the place to be each year. It’s where innovators from around the world showcase their offerings, startups search for their next investor, and R&D departments scout for the next big thing that could revolutionize their industries and put them a step ahead. It’s also a huge event, with more than 4,000 exhibitors and 150,000 attendees in 2023. Going unprepared is a recipe for disaster, but never fear! In this article, our seasoned French Cluster experts share their experiences, what they learned, and their advice—so you can make the most of the Consumer Electronics Show next year and beyond.
Tips from an attendee turned exhibitor
Coralie Gallis – Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder of SM24.ai
Coralie has been at CES for the last 10 years, always as an attendee. Over the years, she has been able to observe the growing number of startups exhibiting there and the increasing quality of their innovations. The number of exhibitors in Eureka Park, the startup showcase, has increased tremendously, making it the perfect place to see new ideas turn into new tech—and new products!
This year was particularly special for Coralie, as it was her first year attending as an exhibitor for her startup, SM24, which she co-founded with James Mayo. Attendees flocked to their booth to learn more about their product, a non-invasive continuous glucose monitoring system. It was a rewarding experience being on “the other side” and seeing how interested even big names in the field were in their novel HealthTech innovation.
A diplomatic presence
CES was also an opportunity for Coralie to meet with French consular officials from around the American West. Sebastien Thevenin, France’s honorary consul in Las Vegas, invited her and other French expats attending the trade show to discuss FoodTech and HealthTech with Christophe Weissberg, the member of France’s National Assembly who represents French citizens living in North America, and Julie Duhaut-Bedos, France’s consul general in Los Angeles. Jean-Noël Barrot, French Minister for Digital Transition and Telecommunications, was also very present at CES.
A must-attend event
For Coralie, CES is an event she can’t miss because of the opportunity to keep up with new technological innovations, be seen at the forefront, meet new people, and maybe find that one serendipitous connection.
You can connect with Coralie and ask her all your burning CES questions on LinkedIn.
Helping to spark and grow international business and cooperation
Sharon Rehbinder - Director, North America, Invest in Grenoble-Alpes / LAVA Los Angeles Venture Association / French Foreign Trade Advisor (CCEF)
Sharon has attended every in-person CES since 2013 and has witnessed the growth of the French presence (and its enthusiasm), culminating in this year’s outstanding showing! In 2023, in coordination with Invest in Grenoble Alpes, Sharon continued to work alongside Minalogic, the digital technology cluster for France’s Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region (AURA), and AURA-E, organizers of AURA’s “Digital Apex” delegation.
The benefits of coming prepared
Sharon had reached out to the 30+ French companies in the AURA delegation and several US corporate investors before the event to help them with their communications and prepare for their arrival. It made all the difference. On the first day, she led the AURA visitors’ delegation, which included several attendees who were at CES for the first time. Armed with the experience of several CES 2023 Survival Guide sessions led by AURA-E partners Lionel Tardy and Matthieu Deboeuf-Rochon, she led the group through Tech East, Tech West, and the LVCC Central, North and West halls, navigating crowds, shuttles/monorails, and the LVCC Loop. The size and scope can really be overwhelming; it’s important to have a plan before you go (or a great guide like Sharon!).
Identifying exhibitors ahead of time
For each venue, Sharon’s team had identified a few exceptional exhibitors that would be of particular interest to the AURA delegation, and Sharon was able to arrange for representatives at each booth to share their latest and greatest in 2023. Identifying exhibitors ahead of time and planning to meet them makes for more fruitful connections, though spontaneous meetings can absolutely bear fruit as well! The AURA delegation made many more connections at their invite-only Friday evening event in the SkyPod at the top of The Strat (formerly the Stratosphere Hotel) on the strip. Partners from the US and Canada talked about their industries and tech ecosystems, and everyone mingled and took advantage of the views. Feedback from attendees has been phenomenal.
Forging ties with other business leaders
In addition to meeting with American and Canadian companies that have projects in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, Sharon also took advantage of being at CES to meet with the leaders of the French American Chambers of Commerce in Texas and San Diego, and fellow French Foreign Trade Advisors (CCEFs) with Christophe Weissberg. It was also an opportunity to make intros for the Los Angeles Venture Association (LAVA) community, connect with corporate investors, and introduce them to prescreened startups of interest, many of which have been spun out of Grenoble’s stellar CEA-Leti and CEA-Liten labs, prominently featured at the CEA booth, in the “first chair” position in the Business France/French Tech area in Eureka Park “orchestra.”
“Together, we are quite a force at French Cluster!
All in all, an exhilarating experience!”— Sharon Rehbinder, Director, North America, Invest in Grenoble-Alpes France
To talk to Sharon about forging cross-Atlantic business ties, opportunities, and contacts, especially in the Grenoble Alpes region of France, at CES and beyond, connect with her on LinkedIn.
The chamber of commerce perspective
Alain Charbonnier – CEO of Belwest, the Belgian-Luxembourg-American Chamber of Commerce for the Western United States
Alain has attended his fair share of CESs, with attendee counts from 67,000 to an astonishing 250,000. This year, he was a member of several official delegations representing Belwest, the Belgian-Luxembourg-American Chamber of Commerce for the Western United States. He also helped co-organize the CES Transatlantic Mixer, a wildly successful event that Forbes named in its Ultimate CES 2023 Guide To The Hottest Parties, Panels And Robots In Las Vegas.
Pro tip #1: pick and choose
Preparing for CES, whether as a visitor or exhibitor, starts well advance. The earlier the better, especially when it comes to booking a hotel. Attendees should expect to find far more exhibitors and talks than they could possibly see. So, it’s important to make a selection: focus on the main reason you came to CES. Don’t try to move too much between venues in one day (after all, there’s 2.9 million square feet of exhibit space). Resign yourself from the get-go that you can’t see everything.
Pro tip #2: CES can be a team sport
Come with a group of people (especially people who have attended CES before). As a visitor, it’s a more efficient way to see things, and if you’re an exhibitor, it means your booth will never be empty (there’s nothing worse than arriving at a booth only to find no one there).
Pro tip #3: Be a connector
Always try to connect people you meet at CES. Not only will both parties really appreciate it, it builds your reputation as a relationship builder. If you can, touch base with people you’re interested in meeting before CES, so that when you do meet them, you’re not just some new face among many, but someone they already know.
Pro tip #4: Be ready to connect
Stay on top of your LinkedIn app! Messages and connection requests will be flying. LinkedIn makes it particularly easy to connect with its QR code feature, so be ready to scan others’ codes or show your own. Never (ever) run out of business cards or let your phone battery die. Bring an external charger or a charging cable with you to power up when you’re taking a break.
Pro tip #5: Take care of your body
CES can feel like a marathon! Wear comfortable shoes. Remember to eat and stay hydrated. And like a marathon runner, pace yourself. Don’t get burned out on the first evening… you still have 4 more days to go! If you can stay within walking distance of your most-frequented venue, it’s definitely a plus, as going to and from the Venetian Hotel by car can waste a lot of precious time (and test your patience), especially when you want to leave at the same time as everybody else and your Uber is stuck in a line of cars miles long.
Pro tip #6: Map it out
Know where you need to go in advance, from the moment you go to pick up your badge, if possible. If you wait until you arrive at the main entrance on the first morning, you’ll be kicking yourself you didn’t plan out your day sooner!
Pro tip #7: Have fun!
CES wouldn’t be CES if you went straight back to your room after the exhibit halls closed. There are ample events and parties where you can unwind while keeping the networking going. There are probably at least 20 different parties during every time slot, some by invitation only, others for which you can register. Fill up your fun calendar! You won’t have an opportunity to meet this many interesting people in one place again in a while. Consider reserving at least half of your schedule for “fun” at CES. LVCC is a good place for that, with exhibitors like the Boring Company showcasing their transportation system based on Teslas and their underground tunnels.
To ask Alain about his other CES pro tips and all things Belgian-Luxembourg-American business, connect with him on LinkedIn.
A treasure trove of business at CES
Thibauld Quirion - President of BBInc. and Soyculto
Thibauld Quirion brings his companies, Brand & Business Incubator and Soyculto, to CES every year. As its target customers are mainly foreign companies and SME, CES is one of the best opportunities for prospecting new clients, meeting with prospects, and helping customers that are exhibiting.
As a trade show, CES is like a treasure chest for Thibauld and team because the foreign exhibitors there are often companies that are launching products in the US market for the first time. However, successful prospecting requires thorough planning and preparation.
By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail
CES is huge. It spreads across at least 11 enormous venues at 3 different main locations all over town, on and off the strip, and the number of visitors frequently surpasses 150,000 over 4 days. According to Thibauld, it’s best to focus on one location. For BBInc, this is the Venetian Expo, because that’s where a lot of first-time exhibitors, country pavilions, and smaller booths are located, apart from beauty, healthcare and gaming companies, which are usually in LVCC.
Preparing your visit is a must. The exhibitor list is published on the CES website about a month before the show, and you can filter by criteria like industry and country to find your ideal prospects. Narrowing down to companies in the Venetian Expo venue ensures they will be smaller and more receptive and accessible to partners like BBInc and Soyculto. You can find their email on the exhibitor list and reach out before the show to say you’ll be visiting them. The mobile app is a big help, too, but it’s often released only a few days before the show.
Once you’ve made a list of the companies you want to meet with, try to visualize the most efficient path to visit them on an efficient schedule. Alain’s tip about mapping things out is spot on! On site, companies are usually really busy, so try to go straight to the point when you meet them. Thibauld also likes to use the CES app to take notes on the go and export them afterward. Over 2 days, he usually manages to see between 40 and 60 companies and walk a total of 20 to 30 miles! It’s a marathon, remember!? Wear comfortable shoes!
For Thibauld, 2 days on site is generally enough, with some extra time to wander around and see if there are interesting companies he missed during his prep. Another tip: eat a good breakfast, because having lunch on the show floor can be next to impossible.
Follow-up is everything
Finally, as a visitor prospecting for new clients, the visit to the show is just the beginning. The real work starts when you follow up, and follow-up is everything! You might just get a few minutes of face time with the companies you spoke with, so you won’t be able to build the relationship or (even better) close the deal without putting in extra work after the show.
To talk US logistics or growing our retail business in the US, reach out to Thibauld on LinkedIn.
Don’t just attend CES—get involved in the tech scene
Bérengère Ferrier – CEO & Brand Strategist at Revive Brands / Co-founder French Cluster / French Foreign Trade Advisor (CCEF)
#CES2023 was only Bérengère’s second time at CES, but she came prepared!
Tip #1 - Anticipate and prepare your meetings
Before setting foot in Las Vegas, she had already scheduled 20 meetings with French tech startup CEOs to launch her company’s new study, IMPAKT by Revive Brands, which will track a cohort of startups and see how their work on marketing and branding impacts their strategic objectives (fundraising, market development, and more). Stay tuned for the results! Her experience was incredible, the discussions were amazingly rich, and she had deep conversations that she could not have anywhere else than at CES.
Tip #2 - Be ready for any kind of opportunity to help your professional community and create content along with brillant like-minded people
As a French Foreign Trade Advisor (CCEF), Bérengère seized the opportunity to get involved and speak on a panel. She was joined by the CEO and founder of the Bad Biche project (self-defense IoT embedded vests) and Manon Esperandieur (CCEF Europe) on a Women in Tech panel organized by Gilbert Reveillon in the Web 3 Tokenization area at CES. It was yet another opportunity to make new connections with top innovation professionals..
Connect with Bérengère on LinkedIn to talk all things branding and strategy.
Seizing unique opportunities and connecting experts in your industries
Jean-Marc Lemaitre – Co-Founder and Executive Vice President at SkyThread, an aerospace startup
Jean-Marc has 32 years of experience in the aviation and aerospace industry, which until recently has not had a big presence at CES. Attending the trade show each year has become an opportunity to meet and network with players in the industry. Jean-Marc’s primary mission is to be a connector for all the new technologies and innovative startups at CES, bringing together attendees from aircraft manufacturers, airline operators, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), innovations labs, technology departments, venture capital firms, and aircraft cabin interior designers who are all looking for the next big thing that could be transposed into aerospace and aviation.
New to CES, but already finding success
CES has turned into a great show for aerospace and aviation. Stakeholders walk the show like it’s a massive shopping mall full of new ideas and inspiration for the industry. This year, Jean-Marc and his team were able to meet with large companies such as Delta Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines, JetBlue, Raytheon Technologies, Southwest Airlines, Collins Aerospace, Safran, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Thales Avionics, Bombardier Aerospace, Honeywell Aerospace, DHL, FedEx, UPS, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Embraer, NASA, and more. Big names are increasingly seeing the value of attending, and startups are taking advantage.
How to prepare for meeting industry players at CES
Jean-Marc echoes the advice of our other experts: preparation is key. If you have a booth and want to meet other people in your industry, you need to prepare by finding out who is actually attending way in advance. LinkedIn is a great place to identify who will be attending. As soon as the CES app is released, go over all the attendees’ profiles, identify the aerospace companies that will be there and reach out in the app’s messaging system or directly on LinkedIn. A lot of them will want to come and see your booth, but they probably don’t know who you are or why they should stop by if you don’t shine a little before the show. Jean-Marc is also a subject-matter expert on aerospace at Belwest. Along with Alain, he helped co-organize the CES Transatlantic Mixer and invited aerospace attendees to meet and network. It was a huge success. Some parting advice: Jean-Marc recommends finding your own industry events and making sure you attend them next year!
Feel free to connect with Jean-Marc on LinkedIn to learn more about CES or aviation. He would be glad to share the expertise he’s amassed over his 32 years of networking in his industry.
About French Cluster
French Cluster is a pool of French-speaking experts based in the United States with extensive knowledge of the American market that gives them a unique opportunity to help the francophone community succeed. Learn more at https://www.frenchcluster.com/.