Light Reading and others are reporting that the telecom industry’s signature tradeshow, Supercomm, has been delayed until October 2009. The show is still scheduled to take place in Chicago. Supercomm has seen its fair share of changes over the years. Bickering between its two main sponsors, USTA and TIA led to the NXTComm distraction in Vegas for a few years. The show has also changed management companies a couple times, with Expocomm Events LLC, a joint venture between E.J. Krause & Associates Inc. and Reed Exhibitions as the newest management team.
Some question the continued viability of large tradeshows. The thinking being smaller niche shows, combined with other direct marketing efforts are better suited for customer interaction, especially in a web 2.0 world. We don’t share that view. The telecom industry needs a signature event – just like all industries do. We’re pulling for Supercomm.