LAS VEGAS – The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026 — taking place January 6–9 in Las Vegas — is best known as technology’s biggest annual showcase, drawing innovators, corporate leaders and policymakers from around the world. For gender inclusion advocates and leaders shaping the future of work and technology, this year’s event also marks a distinct moment: the growing visibility of women’s leadership, inclusive design and equity-focused programming at the heart of the global tech agenda.
At its core, CES continues to be a platform where breakthrough technologies are unveiled and critical conversations about the future are held. But the narrative around who shapes those technologies — and how inclusion influences their impact — is gaining prominence, particularly through partnerships and programmes aimed at elevating women’s voices and leadership.
The Female Quotient Returns as Official Equality Partner
For CES 2026, The Female Quotient (FQ) — a global community and gender equity organisation founded by advocate Shelley Zalis — is again stepping into a leadership role as the Official Equality Partner of CES. The FQ’s presence at CES is anchored in its belief that “a woman alone has power; together, we have impact” — a philosophy that has guided its Inclusion programming at major global events.
Across the event, the FQ is curating space and conversations that spotlight gender inclusion and inclusive leadership in tech. Central to this is the FQ Lounge @ CES 2026 — a gathering hub where leaders from across sectors will exchange insights on gender equity, responsible innovation and inclusive tech design. The FQ’s programme at CES will emphasise not just representation, but the role inclusive perspectives play in shaping trustworthy and transparent innovation — especially in areas like artificial intelligence, where bias has emerged as a systemic risk and opportunity.
Women and Inclusion in the CES Programme
CES’s own Innovation For All programming features a range of sessions that align with CoFE’s core themes. Organised by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), this track brings dedicated content on accessibility, workforce evolution, funding equity and leadership development. Highlights include:
- CTA Women in Tech Brunch, co-hosted by CTA, The Female Quotient and Black Girl Ventures — celebrating achievements and amplifying women’s leadership in tech.
- Women in Tech Q&A – Live at CES with senior executives discussing the strategic value of women’s contributions in shaping organisations and innovation.
- Sessions on talent pipelines, inclusive investing, entrepreneurship access, and building human-centred future skills — all themes that foreground inclusion as a business and cultural priority.
- Special networking and reception spaces focused on Black & Brown tech leaders and LGBTQ+ leaders & allies, recognising the intersectional nature of inclusion and leadership.
This suite of events reflects a broader commitment from the CTA and CES organisers to broaden who gets to participate and be recognised on the global tech stage — an agenda CoFE has long championed as essential for more equitable workplaces and leadership pipelines.
Why This Matters for Gender Equity
CES’s scale — with global executives, innovators and investors under one roof — makes it an important moment not just for product showcases, but for cultural signalling.
The visible presence of women leaders, inclusive programming and equity partnerships at CES 2026 matters because:
- Leadership representation shapes culture: Women’s voices in strategy sessions and tech showcases help normalise gender-balanced leadership in sectors where women continue to be underrepresented at senior levels.
- Inclusion drives better innovation: Bringing diverse perspectives into AI, digital health, mobility and emerging tech conversations helps surface bias risks early and fosters solutions that work for broader populations.
- Networks unlock opportunity: Lounge spaces, curated receptions and community gatherings help women and other underrepresented leaders form connections that advance careers and business outcomes.
- Funding and capital flows benefit: Dedicated NYC content on inclusive investing and equity in venture capital highlights how capital access — a persistent driver of leadership and innovation gaps — is being reshaped.
Women Leaders on the CES 2026 Agenda
CES’s public speaker lineup — spanning tech executives, founders and innovators — includes women in leadership roles across sectors, from digital health and AI to corporate strategy and innovation. These leaders not only bring technical expertise, but also help shift the narrative from inclusion as a policy checkbox to inclusion as strategic business advantage — a message that resonates deeply with CoFE’s mission.
Together with The Female Quotient and CTA’s inclusion-focused content, CES 2026 represents more than a technology trade show — it’s a demonstration of how gender equity and inclusive leadership are central to the future of work, innovation and organisational culture.
