is the CES worth attending?

Yes. It won't take up a whole vacation though. Check and see if SHOT or AVN is at the same time.

I thought it was no longer open to the public (i.e., you need to have press or business credentials). It might be as easy as starting a blog and registering with that, I don't know. I almost went back when I worked for a digital media industry publication, but my boss pulled a dick move and brought his girlfriend instead.