I know we are in an economic slowdown – so I really didn’t ask how attendance was tracking at this year’s ITEXPO which take place in less than three weeks in Miami. Thankfully, Mike Genaro, VP of Marketing at TMC is proactive and just let us know registration is tracking 20.4% ahead of last year.

Two things worth pointing out are I know firsthand that some people who have registered have been recently laid off. Some are still coming to get trained and certified to help them with their job search. Some are not.

Also, we are seeing solid conference registration and I would be pleasantly surprised to see more paid conferees year-over-year. But I don’t expect this to happen.

Obviously part of the reason for this good news is the show has lost competition this past year and moreover has had three very well-attended events which has kept exhibitors and in-turn attendees coming back. Also, the show is developing a reputation as the place to be for companies and attendees who want to do business or “make money” in communications. We talk about the future of course but you leave the show finding out how you can do better immediately – not in 2012.

Over the next weeks I will continue to blog away letting you know all the reasons you need to be at this event. Perhaps the best way to sum it up is regardless of whether you are a reseller, enterprise/SMB or service provider/carrier, this is your communications event.

ITEXPO is the global telecom/datacom expo and you can’t afford to miss it. It will pay for itself like it always has for attendees and exhibitors in the past.

This year we have one of the largest exhibit halls ever so expect to meet with virtually all companies that matter in the space. Hope to see you soon.