If you’re new to CES – or your last visit is something of a blur – take a look at our top tips for CES. They’ll help you to get the most out of your visit, whatever you’re hoping to find at the show.

Plan your day

With more than 2,700 exhibitors and over 100,000 attendees, the Consumer Electronics Show is a busy and sprawling place. Whether you’re buying, selling or just looking, make sure you know exactly where to find all the things you want to see – it can take a good half hour or more to get from one end of the conference to another, so make sure you’ve got your day mapped out.

Don’t forget the shuttle

Avoid hefty cab fares and heavy traffic by taking the CES shuttle, a complimentary service running between the Las Vegas Convention Centre and official CES hotels. As well as being the easiest way to get around, it’s a great way to meet some interesting characters attending the show.

CES Unveiled

Anyone looking for breaking technology news will find what they’re looking for at CES Unveiled. This pre-event media showcase takes place on 5 January this year, and regularly sets the mood for the Consumer Electronics Show.

Take in some Supersessions

It’s not all about trawling the exhibition floor looking for brands that inspire you – CES features free sessions which will give you the broader perspective on industry matters from social media to fighting the economic downturn. With expert speakers, these sessions are a fantastic opportunity to listen and learn.

 Be curious

Yes, CES is huge, but don’t be daunted. Enjoy winding methodically around the halls – some of the most interesting and unexpected companies and products can be found not in most obvious places but around the edges of the show. Don’t be afraid to explore the obscure. At the same time…

Be ruthless

…while keeping an open mind, be conscious of what you’re looking for. You could spend hours browsing stands that are nice, but completely irrelevant to you. If you’re not inspired, move on – there’s plenty more to see.

Use social media to keep up to speed

There are lots of ways to keep on top of the latest CES news – make sure you check out the CES Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn channels, which will give you some essential pointers on must-see events throughout the show.

Visit the UKTI stand at CES Unveiled

UK Trade & Investment is the government body responsible for promoting British business abroad, and this year the team is taking ten UK tech companies to exhibit at CES Unveiled. Visit the UK Technology stand (Central Hall 14729), and get a feel for the innovation currently going on within the British technology industry. You can even take part in their series of networking events, where you’ll be able to meet the companies flying the flag for Great Britain out in Las Vegas. Places are limited though, so email ces@tradefair.co.uk to reserve your spot.

Have fun

CES is perhaps the most vibrant, exciting, inspiring and outrageous technology trade show in the world. Don’t forget it, even when you’re running on four hours sleep and your feet are begging you to stop. You’ll meet incredible people from across the globe, and hear from world experts about the topics that interest you most; you’ll find technologies you never knew existed, and you’ll get to soak up a little of the Las Vegas nightlife too. So enjoy yourself – and remember, you can sleep it off when you get home.