Here’s what Pittsburgh biz leaders attending CES 2023 hope to gain from the tech showcase

From Jan. 5 through 8, the Steel City will be represented by the likes of Ansys, Convestro, Intromark, Make It Home Safe and Powercast Corporation.

Some of these companies are first-timers at CES, aka the Consumer Electronics Show, while others attend the conference annually. The company leaders Technical.ly spoke to said the trip to Vegas will provide an opportunity to show peers, investors and reporters what they’ve accomplished.

During CES 2023, a range of experts in automotive, energy and automation tech from Ansys will be connecting with customers to better understand their needs, said the Canonsburg-based simulation software company’s VP of worldwide sales and customer excellence, Walt Hearn. Attendees can also expect an overview of how Ansys’ simulation solutions benefit the company’s customers, and learn about company partnerships with the likes of AWS and Microsoft.

“Highlights in our booth include a number of innovative products our customers developed using simulation, including filterless purifiers for indoor air in large spaces with near-zero maintenance costs, an electric bike to meet consumer demands for green mobility with a connected sensor/safety demonstration, and electric vehicle components to help transform commercial and industrial vehicles from gas and diesel engines to clean, quiet battery-powered electric machines and more,” Hearn wrote in an email.

Having attended CES in previous years, Hearn advises any newcomers to do their homework and enter the conference with a plan.

“The gravity of CES attracts some of the best and brightest minds in the industry who are driving innovation forward. It’s important to meet with as many of these folks as possible, but it’s also easy to get overwhelmed,” Hearn said. “You should always prepare by familiarizing yourself with the exhibiting companies and reflecting on what your goals are to get the most out of your limited time at the show.”

Walt Hearn. (Photo courtesy of Ansys)

Carlton Vreen of Make it Home Safe has similar goals in mind for CES. Although the startup did attend 2022’s CES on the Hill, a Consumer Technology Association Week event in DC where elected officials learned about technologies that could play a key role in the future, this will be the first time Make it Home Safe has participated in its global counterpart. With a goal of reducing miscommunication and tension during traffic stops, the company run by Carl and Pamela Vreen makes an app that allows drivers to upload their personal information into police officers’ phones; the app in turn informs them why they’re being stopped.

Instead of going with traditional poster boards, the Vreens’ plan is showing conference attendees what the app can do by using technology to walk them through its features.

“Our displays will have cell phones and iPads where they can actually see the product demoed firsthand,” Vreen said. “So we will have audio, video, audio visual advertisements and demos of the product as well as a hands on demo of the product as well.”

After an eventful year with two pilot programs and taking home $50,000 as the third-place 2022 UpPrize Social Innovation Challenge winner, Vreen said the company is eager to show off recent updates made to the app. That includes features to assist with renewing a users driver’s license through state DMVs, and concealed and carry permit information.

Due to the 2022 experience in DC, Vreen will enter CES with a little more familiarity than the average first-timer, so for those who’ve never participated before, he did share some advice: Use the conference itself as a resource.

“Take advantage of all of the services that they offer for advertising, for networking, and for display,” Vreen said. “Take advantage of all the services that are provided.”

It’s all happening at #CES2023! Join us in Las Vegas on Jan. 5-8, and be a part of the future of tech innovation where we will be showcasing our smart phone technology. Make It Home Safe's press conference will take place Friday Jan 6th at 12n in booth 60436 at the Venetian Expo. pic.twitter.com/WrQcm7R2wB

— Make It Home Safe® (@MakeitHomeSafe1) December 30, 2022