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IWCE... Providing Wireless Solutions for the Working World

The International Wireless Communications Expo (IWCE) is the ONE place where all industries and communications professionals came together to share thoughts and ideas on wireless communications technologies.

Over 4,300 buyers including Enterprise users from industries such as... Safety Professionals, Wireless Service Providers, IT Professionals, Dealers and Consultants from all over the world attended IWCE 2008. In total, over 6,950 people participated in the event including exhibitors, speakers and press, a 7% increase over the previous year. IWCE participants gathered in Las Vegas February 25 – 29, 2008 for five full days of conference programming, three days of cutting edge exhibits and exciting special events. The show proved to be a huge success and an aid to facilitate future achievements.

Below are some highlights from this year’s event:

THE CONFERENCE PROGRAM

IWCE 2008’s conference program has mirrored the transition in the land-mobile communications industry to encompass broadband and data communications, as well as interoperability and emerging technologies, without giving up its traditional coverage of spectrum utilization and mobile voice communications.

In his welcoming comments, Derek Poarch, Chief of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau at Federal Communications Commission, gave an overview of the FCC. The 700 MHz auction was the highlight of IWCE 2008 as Harlin McEwen, chairman of the Public Safety Spectrum Trust, and Morgan O'Brien, chairman of advisory organization Cyren Call Communications, presented “700 MHz: Will Public Safety Promises Be Kept?” Other general sessions focused on wireless surveillance and security, systems integrators, and the ever-popular debate between public safety and IWCE’s vendors in Friday’s ”Point/Counterpoint: Public Safety’s Wish List and Technology’s Reality.”

International interfacing continued in “Wireless Around the World” on Friday, where presenters from the UK, India, European Union and Asia represented the wireless markets in their area of the world, and the 9-1-1 National Emergency Number Association made a presentation on international wireless data standards

Other popular sessions and workshops covered important technologies such as P25, radio over IP, cognitive radio, and next generation broadband wireless network architectures, and critical issues such as interoperability governance, interference and wireless backhaul.

THE EXHIBITS

Each year, the IWCE show floor continues to grow and welcome new industry suppliers. Attendees flooded the exhibit floor for 3 full days of demonstrations, interaction, purchases and networking. The IWCE 2008 show floor featured 355 companies, and included 82 first time exhibitors, who showcased the latest in:

Mobile Voice/Mobile Date
PCS/Cellular
Antennas and Accessories
Telematics
802. 11/Wi-Fi/WiMax

RF Engineering
VoIP
GPS
Towers
And a great deal more!

The New Product Showcase, that featured 26 products, highlighted the most current and innovative technology in the wireless communications industry.

SPECIAL EVENTS

In addition to Derek Poarch’s Opening Remarks and the Keynote Address by Harlin R. McEwen and Morgan O’Brien, IWCE 2008 was enhanced with several special events including 3 General Sessions and IWCE’s Networking Reception.

Attendees socialized with colleagues and developed new business relationships while enjoying food and drink at IWCE’s Networking Reception, sponsored by EADS North America, EFJohnson, HYT America, Inc., Icom America, Kenwood Communications, Midland Radio Corporation, Motorola, Inc., Tait Radio Communications, Tyco Electronics M/A-COM, Inc., and Vertex Standard. Larry G. Jones entertained the crowd with his impressionist-comedy show. Larry G. Jones was sponsored by Anritsu Company and Hutton Communications.

INTERNATIONAL BUYER PROGRAM

IWCE 2008 was selected for the US Department of Commerce's International Buyer Program (IBP). The IBP promoted IWCE to overseas attendees through the U.S. Department of Commerce's worldwide network of embassies, consulates and commercial centers. 671 international attendees from 61 countries made their way to Las Vegas to participate in IWCE, an increase of over 100 international attendees from 2007.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

IWCE would like to thank the Attendee and Exhibitor Advisory Committees for their continued guidance, feedback and support, without whom IWCE would not be the esteemed event it is today.

INDUSTRY SUPPORT

IWCE 2008 was sponsored by MRT Magazine and continues to be supported by over 62 allied publications and associations. It is these relationships that allow IWCE to continue to be the premier industry event each year.

UPCOMING EVENTS

The 17th Annual Wireless & Mobile Comms Conference
July 23-25, 2008
Hilton on the Park
Melbourne, Australia
www.iir.com/au/iwce

IWCE Italy
October 29-30, 2008
Genoa Fair
Genoa, Italy
www.iwceitaly.com

IWCE 2009
College of Technology: March 16-17, 2009
Conference & Exhibits: March 18-20, 2009
Las Vegas Convention Center • Las Vegas, NV

IWCE 2009 Exhibit Hall Hours: