For Immediate Release

CONTACT: Brooke Dawson, Marketing Manager, IWCE

Email: Brooke.Dawson@penton.com

Phone: 203.358.3726

Website: www.iwceexpo.com

Penton Media’s IWCE 2011 enjoys a healthy increase in attendance and revenue over previous year

IWCE, the International Wireless Communications Expo, was held in Las Vegas on March 7-11, 2011. With a 5% increase in attendance over the previous year, the event was a resounding success attracting a total of 6,400 participants, including 3,778 attendees.

"IWCE's strong revenue and attendance turnout are a testament to its leadership in the wireless communications marketplace, which is bolstered by its unparalleled conference programming and industry-leading trade show," said Greg Toritto, Managing Director of Penton's Wireless Communications Group. 

SOCIAL MEDIA SUCCESS

This year’s IWCE hosted a Facebook page and a very active Twitter feed, as well as a new, event-specific mobile app, sponsored by Kenwood, Avtec, Otto and Pryme Radio. The mobile app was a huge hit with both attendees and exhibitors alike as they searched for exhibitors alphabetically or on the floor plan map, added sessions and special events to their personal schedules, or were alerted to the hottest things happening on the show floor.

“Several conference sessions were standing-room only and many more were full to capacity,” said Stacey Orlick, IWCE’s Show Manager. “With cutting-edge, relevant content, the latest products from leading exhibitors and numerous networking opportunities throughout the five-day conference, IWCE continues to be the must-attend, annual event for the wireless communications industry.”

IWCE draws a diverse group of industry professionals. Officials from federal, state and local governments; law enforcement, fire and other public safety entities; utilities; transportation; dealers; wireless service providers and other engineers, IT professionals and consultants all gathered together in Las Vegas to see the latest in effective and efficient wireless communication systems.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

IWCE 2011’s conference program continues to showcase the change in the wireless communications industry to encompass broadband and data communications, as the sessions were on LTE, 4G and Broadband were all standing-room only.  Wednesday’s free sessions included a packed Opening Keynote Address from Col Mark Tillman of Air Force One, an update from Roberto Mussenden of the FCC on 800 MHz rebanding in Mexico, and an Afternoon Keynote from Chris Essid of the Department of Homeland Security.

Thursday morning’s general session on the 2013 deadline for Narrowbanding  and Friday morning’s CIO Roundtable also gathered a crowds.  The three training classes, the workshops and short sessions were also capacity crowds for LTE, P25, TETRA, interference, 700 MHz, wireless broadband and other topics.  One major highlight was the live demonstration by firefighters in full gear in the two part session “Digital Radio for Firefighters.”  In addition, the Lunch-and-Learn on “Intrinsically Safe-Radio” sold out by Thursday morning.

THE EXHIBITS

Attendees flooded the exhibit floor for three days of demonstrations, interaction, ordering and networking.  IWCE 2011 hosted 331 companies, including 70 new exhibitors.  These new participants represent the changing landscape of IWCE as more network companies, service providers and other advanced technology organizations find value at IWCE. 

IWCE revamped its product categories to reflect the changing technologies represented at the event, including exhibitors showcasing:

TETRA

P25

LTE

4G

Satellite

Wireless Broadband

Infrastructure

Intelligent Radio

Mobile Data

…And a great deal more!                           

IWCE 2012 will be held February 20-24 and will be strategically altering its format to a two-day exhibit on February 22-23. IWCE is poised for continued growth in both attendance and exhibit sales.

###