WASHINGTON, March 17, 2006 -- OFC/NFOEC 2006, held this month in Anaheim, Calif., was a "resounding success" and confirmed its role as the premier international event for both the science and business of optical communications, said the Optical Society of America (OSA), which manages the event. "There was a real sense of an industry upswing this year, and leading analyst reports were optimistic about what 2006 has in store for optical communications. Every indicator is showing that innovation is alive and well in the industry again," the association said in a press release. OSA said 13,000 attended the event and 3000 attended technical programs. Floor traffic "was excellent," it said. "In fact, the on-site rebook rate was one of the strongest to date." More than 700 technical talks emphasized innovative technologies and reinforced the conference as the preeminent event for optical communications. Business sessions like Market Watch and the Service Provider Summit spotlighted topics including IPTV, FTTx developments and network evolutions to standing-room only audiences. Demonstrations showcased products at the forefront of the industry, and exhibiting and sponsoring companies including Bookham, Corning, JDSU and Opnext unveiled numerous new products. OSA said international attendance at OFC/NFOEC continues to grow; more than 55 countries were represented. Approximately 40 percent of the more than 600 participating companies were from outside the US, and more than 80 companies were from the Pacific Rim region. Sixty percent of technical talks were presented by engineers and scientists from outside the US. OFC/NFOEC 2007 will be held March 25-30 in Anaheim. For more information, visit: www.ofcnfoec.org