Jun 6, 2005 12:00 PM

WHY TO GO, WHAT TO SEE, WHERE TO PLAY

WCA 2005 CONFERENCE/GLOBAL HARMONIZATION & REGULATORY SUMMIT | JUNE 28-JULY 1 | WASHINGTON

Technology	Broadband wireless access and WiMAX
The lowdown	With the first certified gear only a quarter away from release, the focus of this show will be WiMAX. Intel and Fujitsu have released their first chipsets, and vendors will have the final versions of their WiMAX gear on the show floor.
Forecast	WiMAX is one of the hottest topics in the industry, so expect this usually low-key show to attract a lot of attention this year. This will be the first look many carriers have at the certification-grade products currently undergoing final testing in the WiMAX Forum's labs, and it's the vendors' opportunity to show off the technology they've been hyping for years.
Cost	Registration is $945 per person on or before June 17th and $1095 after. WCA members, international carriers or spectrum licensees, government employees and educators all get steep discounts.
Speakers	This year, WiMAX Forum President Ron Resnick will host along with WCA President Andrew Krieg. The CEOs of the five biggest WiMAX vendors will hold a keynote panel discussion. Sprint's Oliver Valente and Nextel's Barry West will represent the major cellular carriers. Several government speakers will be on hand to discuss regulation and international harmonization.
Sessions	The WCA has a reputation for some pretty intense breakout sessions, especially on the topics of spectrum allocation and regulation. While WiMAX will be the major buzz of the show, expect the issues of international harmonization and the 2.5 GHz bands to also pervade.
Leisure	This is Washington: Every marble memorial and monument you ever read about in grade-school civics class is here. D.C. also offers the widest range of museums in the country. There's the Smithsonian's extensive array of 16 museums and galleries as well as the National Zoo, all free (www.si.edu). The Holocaust Museum and the Phillips Collection are also popular. Check out www.culturaltourism.org for more information. For nightlife, go to the Washington Post's entertainment guide at www.washingtonpost.com.
Getting around	All conferees should be able to stay at the conference site, the Wardman Park Marriott. The efficient and space-age D.C. Metro stops outside to take you downtown.
Eat & Drink	Central D.C.'s population of legislatures, civil servants and policy wonks has created quite a restaurant and bar culture. Just outside the conference, you'll find a long strip of restaurants featuring fare from every culture (the Lebanese Taverna is great), but a short cab or Metro ride will take you to the excellent restaurant neighborhoods of Georgetown, DuPont Circle or Chinatown.
	WWW.WCAI.COM/EVENT/05/05GEN.HTM