FCC chairman Ajit Pai cancels CES appearance a week before show

FCC chairman Ajit Pai has canceled plans to appear at CES next week, missing the show for the first time in five years and what would have been his first appearance as head of the commission.

Pai was scheduled to appear next Tuesday, alongside the FTC’s acting chairwoman, Maureen Ohlhausen, as part of a “candid conversation” moderated by Consumer Technology Association president Gary Shapiro. Shapiro supported Pai’s move to reverse the 2015 net neutrality rules, so it’s not like Pai would have been in for a tough interview here.

The FCC declined to comment on Pai’s cancellation. The CTA announced the cancellation in a brief email, writing, “Unfortunately, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai is unable to attend CES 2018. We look forward to our next opportunity to host a technology policy discussion with him before a public audience.”

A spokesperson for the CTA said that Ohlhausen would still be appearing.