Visitors from 61 countries descended on the New Munich Trade Fair Center in June to take in the technology of tomorrow. Promoters described Laser 99, held in Munich, Germany, as the "most international" laser congress to date, and exhibitors reported a rush of interest. Despite a decrease in the number of attendees from Asia, a greater number of visitors came from emerging technology centers in central and Eastern Europe. Exhibitors noted the industry's strides toward miniaturization, higher-power lasers and new manufacturing techniques. Organizers of the weeklong trade fair reported a total of 876 exhibiting companies.