TIA, USTA to Merge Events into NXTcomm

WASHINGTON–The United States Telecom Association and the Telecommunications Industry Association are merging their trade shows into a single event starting in 2007.

The organizations announced the merger at a news conference here, saying that a single larger event would make more sense for the industry. The first of the new NXTcomm shows will be held in Chicago starting June 18, 2007.

The event replaces the TelecomNEXT and GlobalComm shows that had been planned for 2007, and will be held on the same dates that GlobalComm was originally going to be held.

“Its the creation of a single new venue to promote and advance the telecom industry,” said TIA president Matt Flanigan.

Flanigan held the news conference jointly with USTA president Walter McCormick. “The industry has been clamoring for one strong show,” Flanigan said.

According to McCormick, the telecom world has changed since the two associations decided to have their own events at different times of the year.

“Its a new world. We want to focus on whats next,” McCormick said. “Its all about the new converged world of communications, information and entertainment.”

McCormick said he expects exhibitors and participants from a broad spectrum of the wired and wireless industries, as well as content providers and the government.

He said that featured speakers would include senior executives from the FCC, AT&T and Disney.

Dates and locations for future events are not yet set; however, the associations did say theyre negotiating with Las Vegas for 2008, which would also be held in June.

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