Supercomm shifts to October to capitalize on broadband stimulus spending

The Supercomm 2009 show scheduled for June 9-11 in Chicago is being moved to  Oct. 21-23 at the same location in order to take advantage of opportunities from the $7.2 billion broadband stimulus bill.

There had been rumors circulating through the industry that Supercomm was facing problems due to the current economy and belt-tightening by telecom equipment vendors and service providers alike, but Supercomm Event Director Ron Mathews said in an interview today that the opportunities provided by the broadband stimulus package were the primary reason for the date change.

“We are planning the event to take advantage of the new opportunity [the broadband stimulus package] gives us,” Mathews said. “That stimulus package is really huge, and it is going to shift a lot of funds into this industry. Moving the show gives us time to figure out where those funds are going to go and how we can best help our customers and partners take advantage of these opportunities.”

Although additional programming around the broadband stimulus might be added, Mathews said existing programming, including partner programs organized by partners such as Telephony, ATIS and the Yankee Group, are expected to be moved intact.  “We will strengthen the program to take advantage of this new opportunity,” Mathews said.

Exhibitors signed for June will be shifted to October, and more exhibit sales might take place, Mathews said. All registration for the show will be automatically shifted.

Mathews said McCormick Place officials and Chicago Convention Bureau officials were willing to work with Supercomm, “given these difficult times” and that moving the show wasn’t as hard as some might have thought.

Supercomm is backed by USTelecom and the TIA and is the telecom industry’s leading trade show and conference.