By Alana Grelyak

There are a number of trade shows that occur throughout the year and it can be a confusing endeavor trying to figure out which ones to attend. We at Pipeline have made an effort to demystify a few of the ones we think might be important to our readers in the next few months. Read on for a quick overview of what it is, where it is, and who it’s for.

Next-Generation OSS/BSS Summit
When: September 24-26
Where: Tucson, AZ
Who It's For: Vendor and Service Provider engineers and decision-makers keen on conversation.

A small show (the last iteration had 100-150 attendees), IQPC's Next Gen OSS/BSS Summit will focus on how next-gen processes are impacting the telecom world. This semiannual show will be in full swing as you are reading or after you have read this entry, but be sure to check back next month for a retrospective.

FTTH Conference & Expo 2007
When: September 30 – October 4
Where: Orlando, FL
Who It's For: Telco (and Cableco, for that matter,) execs, equipment manufacturers, and others interested in FTTH.

Fiber-to-the-Home is a big story. It really can revolutionize the telecom industry, and is especially valuable to telcos struggling to avoid getting their lunch money stolen by cablecos. You can find a full Q & A with FTTH Council President Joe Savage in last month's Pipeline. (http://www.pipelinepub.com/0907/EC2_1.html)

COMPTEL Plus
When: October 7 -10, 2007
Where: Dallas, Texas
Who It’s for: Wholesale carriers and CLECs, VoIP providers and service and products suppliers

This show is a must for anyone interested in learning more about “providers of products and services vital to the competitive communications industry.” Sessions will be focused on business and market opportunities, regulatory changes that affect service providers, as well as financial and investment issues that service providers may face. Presentations will include topics such as “Next Generation Interconnection,” Negotiating and Arbitrating Interconnection Agreements with ILECs,” as well as a nigh four-hour Regulatory Workshop on the last day of the conference. COMPTEL Plus also claims to be the best networking and educational opportunity in the industry, according to a pole of their previous year’s attendees. Organizers expect 180 exhibitors and 2700 attendees. This year’s attendees will be able to shake hands with senior industry executives and officials like Jerry

James, President & CEO of COMPTEL, who will be the session leader of the CEO Forum. Panelists for that also include Carl Grivner, CEO of XO Communications, Royce Holland, President and CEO of McLeod USA, and Ron Beaumont, CEO of Hypercube, LLC. A CEO Council Breakfast will also help bring together the CEOs of major companies and their supplier partners in an environment conducive to discussing business, policy, and technology. Attendees with a need for networking should find COMPTEL Plus highly beneficial.

Broadband World Forum Europe
When: October 8-11, 2007
Where: Berlin, Germany
Who It’s For: Geared toward Broadband service providers, particularly those with a presence in Europe

Broadband World Forum Europe “examines the latest broadband technology developments, challenges, services, and applications, with particular emphasis on the European market.” This four-day program consists of multiple learning opportunities that include more than 200 speakers, 100 exhibitors, over 40 different types of workshops and sessions, with more than 7000 expected attendees. Keynote speakers include Michel Rahier, President, Wireline Business Group, Alcatal-Lucent; Berit Svendsen, VP and Head of Nordic Fixed, Telenor; Simon Beresford-Wylie, CEO of Nokia Siemens Networks, and more. If you’re looking for variety, the sheer size of this show makes it almost impossible not to find something to pique your interest. Easily one of the largest shows this year, Broadband World Forum Europe offers an abundance of networking opportunities as well as a technology exhibition to showcase the latest in broadband services, solutions, and applications.