PCIA's Annual Conference & Exhibition

Another wireless trade show is just around the corner. From Sept. 21 to 24, 22,000 wireless professionals -- including senior executives from engineering, business development, technical services, marketing and customer services from all 50 states and 60 nations -- are expected to visit the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans for PCS '99. If you expect to attend, you will want to get a head start on your planning.

With more than 700 exhibitors expected to fill more than 300,000 square feet of exhibit space, there will be plenty to see on the show floor. According to PCIA, more than 200 new products were introduced at PCS '98. You will want to make the most of your available time to find out about this year's innovations. The show floor will be open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday.

SEMINARSIn addition to the plethora of products and news announcements on the show floor, there will be much to take in during the conference's numerous educational seminars. PCIA has lined up more than 70 educational programs covering a variety of topics such as wireless voice, calling party pays, paging and messaging, convergence vs. divergence, broadband wireless, emerging technologies, satellite, mobile computing and branding strategies. This year's conference also will feature informational seminars and workshops focused on Latin America's wireless potential.

In addition to the break-out sessions, attendees are invited to PCS '99 SuperSessions. AOL Interactive Properties Group President Ted Leonsis will deliver a keynote address on Wednesday, Sept. 22, during the show's opening SuperSession. Other featured speakers at PCS '99 include FCC commissioners Harold Furchtgott-Roth, Susan Ness and Michael Powell, as well as Qualcomm's Irwin Jacobs, Omnipoint's George Schmitt and WirelessKnowledge's John Major.

GALAAfter a hectic day on the show floor and attending educational seminars, you will be ready for an evening of networking, laughter and funk. PCIA has arranged this year's gala specifically with fun in mind. The PCS '99 Gala will be held Wednesday, Sept. 22, at 7 p.m. at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. It will feature the legendary R&B group, the Neville Brothers, and stand-up comedian Sinbad. You can purchase tickets for $150, which include a reception, dinner and the show, with your PCS '99 conference registration.

For more information on PCS '99, visit the show's Web site at www.pcs99.com or visit PCIA's Web site at www.pcia.com.