Every January, the global technology industry converges on Las Vegas for the International Consumer Electronics Show, the premier industry showcase for manufacturers to preview the latest products that will hit retail throughout the year. Thousands of journalists, retailers and analysts will attend this year’s CES when it begins Tuesday, Jan. 6.

The central trend of the 2015 show will be about “The Internet of Things” – or wireless connectivity between various devices, including health care gadgets, athletic gear, sporting goods, home appliances and cars, according to UT-San Diego.

Sony Electronics’ president Mike Fasulo told UT-San Diego that CES is “the one time of year we can really be in one place and look at what great technology and trends are happening.”

Familiar names such as Sony and Samsung will be joined by newcomers. Exhibitors such as home improvement retailer Lowe’s and appliance maker Honeywell are new to CES, said Gary Shapiro, who heads the CES producer Consumer Electronics Association trade organization, and “are coming because they have products that are connected to each other.”

Lowe’s will exhibit “an automous retail service robot” to enhance shoppers’ experience, as well as Lowe’s Holoroom, a “3D and augmented reality” simulator to visualize planned home improvements.

More than 160,000 people attended the International CES last year and attendance is expected to be higher this year as the show has added more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space at the Las Vegas Convention Center and surrounding hotels. There were more than 3,500 exhibits last year and this year there will be “themed marketplaces” across the spectrum of technology, from cybersecurity and smartwatches to drones and 3D printing.