The South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center is just one part of a massive complex that houses CES. Two days before the show officially opens, the scene outside is relatively quiet. But come Wednesday, this sidewalk will be jammed.
Things are similarly quiet in front of the Central Hall. What's now a parking lot will be a busy loading bay for shuttles to hotels across Las Vegas. Good luck with the traffic and with finding a taxi.
Under a grey and cold Vegas sky, a forklift motors its way past a row of palm trees. During CES, the parking lot in the background will house more exhibits and a huge registration tent.
The CNET stage nears completion. Here the best team in tech will bring you the best of CES.
Published:Caption:Kent GermanPhoto:Sarah Tew / CBS Interactive
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Where it all happens
Our video editors are hard at work, even as the control room behind the CNET stage is being built.
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And you think you hate unpacking
Back outside, piles of packing crates wait to be unpacked. Hotels on the famed Las Vegas Strip and the High Roller Ferris wheel are seen in the background.
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Ready to register
If you've already registered to attend CES you can pick up your badge outside the convention or even at the airport.
If you're walking the halls during the setup take care of forklifts buzzing across the show floor with deliveries, sometimes at top speed.
Published:Caption:Kent GermanPhoto:Sarah Tew / CBS Interactive
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Samsung's stage
Though it doesn't look like much now, this space will be Samsung's booth. Showing everything from phones to refrigerators, Samsung always has one of the biggest and grandest booths at CES.
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Running man
A running figure towers above this still unsigned booth. It looks to be all about smartwatches or wearables.
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Under construction
With a striking lattice work and soothing Earth tones, this could become one of the prettiest booths at CES.
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Don't wait
Indeed, tomorrow and the start of CES won't wait. Here a crane adjusts a grid of lights hanging from the ceiling.
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Got a job to do
An employee lugs a manual forklift down a typically long walkway on the show floor.
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Smile (many times)
A huge ring of cameras stands center stage in the Nikon booth.
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Booths large and small
Some booths are barely larger than a table in the middle of the floor.
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Welcome to the show
The Grand Concourse runs between the Central and North Halls to a maze of meeting rooms. Its welcoming arch is more or less the center of CES.
Published:Caption:Kent GermanPhoto:Sarah Tew / CBS Interactive
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Better than walking
Given how big the Las Vegas Convention Center is (the South Hall alone is a third of a mile long), riding a bike is a smart way to get around.
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Undercover
At some booths, some exhibits stay covered until the show officially opens.
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Look up
Sometimes the ceiling of a booth is just as interesting as what's on the floor.
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Your booth is delivered
More packing crates stretch along the length of the South Hall. Inside the crates is all it takes to build a company booth.
Published:Caption:Kent GermanPhoto:Sarah Tew / CBS Interactive
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Information please
Though empty now, these racks will hold stacks of show guides and magazines once CES opens.
