My First CES: Building Real Connections in a Digital World

There's a peculiar irony in flying across the country to Las Vegas to meet partners who are also based in New York City. But that's the CES paradox.

As Director of Business Development for Samba TV, I'd been working with many of these partners over email for months. We'd aligned on strategies, worked through challenges, and moved deals forward - all via emails and Google Meets. Some of my most important partners were just a subway ride away, yet we'd never actually met. Then CES happened, and suddenly it made perfect sense to fly 2,500 miles to sit across from someone who works twenty blocks from our office.

Walking into our suite at the Aria Hotel for my first CES, I was struck by the scale of it all. Over 4,000 exhibitors. Hundreds of thousands of attendees. The hum of innovation filling every hall. What I found most surprisingly, though, was that sometimes you need to shake someone's hand to really understand the partnership you've been building.

What We Do at Samba TV

For those unfamiliar, Samba is a leading data & technology company that provides insights into what viewers are watching across smart TVs and streaming platforms. We help brands, networks, and advertisers understand viewing behaviors and reach audiences more effectively. Our data and analytics platform powers smarter decision-making in an increasingly fragmented media landscape. It's complex work that requires strong partnerships, which is exactly what brought me to CES.

From Email Threads to Eye Contact

The most valuable part of my CES experience wasn't the flashy booth displays or the celebrity appearances. It was finally meeting face-to-face with partners I'd only known through email signatures and Google Meet squares. There's something powerful about sharing coffee with someone you've been collaborating with remotely for months. The conversations flow differently. Trust builds faster. What might take three email exchanges can be resolved in three minutes over a handshake.

I've always believed in the power of in-person connection, but experiencing it at this scale reinforced why it matters. Digital tools are incredible for maintaining relationships and moving work forward, but they can't fully replace the energy of a real conversation. The subtle cues, the spontaneous ideas that emerge, the genuine rapport that develops when you're in the same room—these are the building blocks of lasting business relationships.

Every meeting felt productive. We discussed new opportunities, aligned on strategies, and discovered unexpected synergies. The energy was exhilarating. Now comes the critical part: following up. The momentum from CES only matters if we convert those conversations into concrete next steps. My inbox is full, my calendar is marked up, and I'm energized to push these partnerships forward.

The Innovation Landscape at CES 2026

Between meetings, I managed to explore the show floor, and the themes that emerged were striking. Artificial intelligence wasn't just present at CES 2026, but woven into nearly every product category. From AI-powered home assistants that understand context to automotive systems that anticipate driver needs, the practical applications are finally catching up to the hype.

Health tech continues to evolve beyond fitness trackers. I saw innovations in remote patient monitoring, mental wellness tools, and accessibility features that could genuinely improve quality of life. The intersection of health and technology is becoming more sophisticated and more human-centered.

And of course, the ongoing convergence of entertainment, gaming, and virtual experiences reminded me why our work at Samba matters. As viewing habits fragment across platforms and devices, understanding the audience becomes more complex...and more essential.

Moving Forward

Walking out of CES, I felt truly inspired. Not just by the technology, but by the people behind it. The partnerships we're building at Samba are part of a larger ecosystem of innovation, and seeing that ecosystem come together in one place was energizing.

CES is overwhelming in the best way possible. But what I'll take away most is the reminder that behind every technology, every platform, and every innovation are people trying to solve real problems. And sometimes, the best way to solve those problems together is to meet in person, shake hands, and start talking.