New Horizons

It's that time of year again. Time to make plans for the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association's (CTIA) annual wireless conference and exhibition. If you are planning to join the thousands of wireless professionals Feb. 23-25 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, you should take time now to prepare for the show.

REGISTRATION To attend Wireless '98 you need to complete a registration form available through I.T.S., CTIA's Wireless '98 Travel and Housing Desk at 847-940-2155. You also can register for Wireless '98 at CTIA's web site www.wow-com.com. No registration information will be taken over the phone.

There are two registration options available. Full-convention registration includes admittance to general sessions, seminars and exhibits. Exhibits-only registration includes admittance to the exhibit hall for three days. The full-convention registration fee is $500 for CTIA members and $700 for non-members. The exhibbits-only registration fee is $115 for CTIA members and $130 for non-members. These fees are for attendees who register after Jan. 9 or at the site.

Cancellations, substitutions and requests for refunds must be submitted in writing to CTIA Wireless '98 Rgistration, 108 Wilmot Road, Deerfield, IL 60015. CTIA will not accept cancellations, substitutions and refund requests by telephone. They will be processed only if submitted in writing by the deadlines. Cancellations and refund requests that were submitted by Jan. 9 will receive a full refund, less a $50 fee. Cancellations received after Jan. 9 and by Jan. 30 will receive a 50% refund. Cancellations received after Jan. 30 will receive no refund.

CTIA will accept substitutions from the same company if requested by Jan. 30. After Jan. 30, you can make substitution requests on site. There is a $25 charge for substitutions; payment must accompany your request.

SHOW FLOOR With more than 600 exhibitors expected to fill more than 700,000 square feet of exhibit space, you will want to plan ahead to make the most of the time available on the show floor. Exhibit hours are:

Monday, Feb. 23 -- 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 24 -- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 25 -- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

GALA To take the edge off a hectic day of the conference and exhibition, you may want to join CTIA at the fifth annual Wireless Gala, Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 6:30 p.m. The Gala, which will feature the President's Awards ceremony and entertainment by Bill Cosby, will be held at the Georgia World Congress Center. Ticket prices are $175 for individual tickets or $1,500 per table.