Sony stopped showing at CES in the early-80s (not long after they released the CDP-101) and did regional 'mini-CES' dealer meetings at local hotels because their double booth cost a million dollars and they didn't feel it was worth the money. This was when CES was in Chicago and, having viewed the union workers demanding payment, it was a good show of their influence. It was also a show of their willingness to disappear if someone gave them cash.