Expo Draws Praise from Exhibitors

CompTel/ASCENT got off to a strong start this week, with exhibitors giving the show high marks for attendance, quality leads and positive energy.

This shows always been great, says Emily Hope, marketing communications specialist at Tekelec (Booth 317), adding that the company is generating good-quality leads at the show.

Telekec is one of 150 exhibitors providing business opportunities and education to CompTel/ASCENT attendees, which totaled more than 2,800 for the show.

I think theres been great attendance, says Nancy D. Starcher, director of product marketing, access transport, at BellSouth Interconnection Services (Booth 701). She adds that may be in part because the show started on a Monday rather than a Sunday.

The opening night party featuring a Cirque du Soleil tribute, which set the stage with roaming performers on the show floor Monday night, helped start the show with a bang. Grande Communications (Booth 500) sponsored the entertainment for the party while Progress Telecom (Booth 710) and Tekelec served up the food.

Another special feature of the CompTel/ASCENT show this time around is the PointOne Inc. (Booth 322) and XO Communications (Booth 717) raffle of a Segway Human Transporter (HT). To register to win, visit PointOne and XOs booths and get a stamp on the card provided in your conference bag. The prize will be awarded before the close of the trade expo today.

These events and the state of the industry as a whole are creating a new optimism in the telecom industry.

Robert E. Guth, chairman, president and CEO of TelCove (Booth 128), says the show has a lot more energy than in the past couple of years combined. Consolidation of the CompTel, ASCENT and ALTS shows also helps, he adds. Now everybody knows which show to go to.

Paul Aiello, vice president of sales and business operations with Progress Telecom, adds that This year has been very exciting. The majority of the people [at CompTel/ASCENT] are very optimistic about what 2005 will bring.

CompTel/ASCENT CEO Russell Frisby notes, There is very positive energy in the trade expo, which clearly shows that this industry is alive and well. Its great to see so much activity on the trade show floor and know that doing major deals is back in fashion.