GENEVA-For the first time in its 30-year history, the International Telecommunications Union’s Telecom World event will not be held in Geneva. ITU Telecom World 2006 will take place in Hong Kong.
Following a call for bids, the ITU said the offer from Hong Kong topped the Geneva bid with direct costs for Hong Kong between 30 percent to 50 percent lower than Geneva. In addition, the Hong Kong bid offered a “sizeable level” of guaranteed sales by Chinese companies and lower indirect costs, such as subcontractor rates and hotel rates.
“Both Geneva and Hong Kong have made tremendous efforts to submit the most attractive offer for hosting the next ITU Telecom World event,” said Yoshio Utsumi, ITU secretary-general. “Despite significant cost reductions in both offers, the one from Hong Kong gives a clear and distinct advantage to both the event stakeholders and ITU.”
ITU said it may organize a European event in 2006 because of the decision not to hold an event in Europe that year.
The 2003 event saw a decline in exhibitors, particularly large wireless suppliers, and attendees compared with the 1999 event. Geneva has been criticized as being too small for the event and not offering enough nearby hotels for attendees.
Following the Hong Kong 2006 event, the next world conference is scheduled for 2009 in an undecided venue.
