To help me focus on the most newsworthy topics, I do prebriefings, where companies tell me what they are going to introduce — so long as I pledge not to reveal anything early.

For weeks, my inbox has exploded with requests for meetings, often with obscure start-ups. (In the eight hours before I wrote this, I received 85.) Sometimes I agree, but usually these pitches aren’t the right fit.

The show covers about 2.7 million square feet, so I wear comfortable, sturdy boots. I carry my laptop, a bulky battery pack for my phone, trail mix, business cards and, most important, hand sanitizer. (Despite this precaution, I’ve returned with what we veterans call the CES plague about six times.)

That reminds me: I should buy more hand sanitizer.

That’s it for this briefing. See you next time. — Chris

Thank you

To Eleanor Stanford (welcome back) for the cultural guidance and Alan Henry for such Smart Living. A special thanks to Brian X. Chen for today’s Back Story. You can reach the team at briefing@nytimes.com.

P.S.

• We’re listening to “The Daily.” Today’s episode is about President Trump’s decision to withdraw troops from Syria and the ensuing debate over the role of the U.S. military.

• Here’s today’s mini crossword puzzle, and a clue: Flexible blackjack cards ( 4 letters). You can find all our puzzles here.

• The editor of our technology coverage is Pui-Wing Tam, who was named a deputy business editor last month.