Organizers say Cebit attendance on a par with previous year

Hanover, Germany - Attendance at the huge Cebit computing trade fair in Germany is on a par with that of last year, organizers said on the second day of the expo, which is struggling with a decline in exhibitor numbers. Cebit offered no precise numbers on how many people had come through the turnstiles. 'We are very satisfied with the first day. It was on a par with last year,' said a spokesman for Deutsche Messe, the fair company. A total of 6,059 exhibitors from 77 nations have rented stand space to display digital products, software and communications equipment. Major companies such as Nokia and Motorola have deserted the fair in favour of more specialized fairs elsewhere. Sales of stand rentals fell this year to 280,000 square metres from 300,000 square metres a year ago. Next year's Cebit is to be shortened from seven to six days and aims to attract more information technology professionals rather than private enthusiasts. There were fears before Cebit that sky-high room rates at Hanover hotels would scare away visitors. Rates have quadrupled to 500 euros per night at some hotels. Even snacks at the exhibition have been surcharged: for example the fairground's Guese supermarket hung signs offering ice-creams for 1.20 euros, but charged 1.50 euros at the till. 'It's not a mistake. It's the Cebit price,' explained a checkout operator. © 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur

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Organizers say Cebit attendance on a par with previous year

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