WASHINGTON, March 17 -- The first combined OFC/NFOEC (Optical Fiber Communication Conference and Exposition/National Fiber Optic Engineers Conference), held recently in Anaheim, Calif., was characterized by a well-attended exhibition and strong technical sessions, according to the Optical Society of America, a cosponsor of the event. OSA said 650 companies participated in the exhibition at OFC/NFOEC -- an increase over last year -- and about 40 percent of exhibitors were international companies. More than 750 presentations delivered at the conference focused on the industry’s hottest topics, among them FTTx (fiber-to-the premises, home/curb/neighborhood) and ROADMs (reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexers), and industry sessions attracted standing-room only audiences. Total attendance 13,111 registrants, with increased student attendance and an international registration of 3500, with 12 percent from key Asian markets, OSA SAID. "Throughout the conference, exhibitors were indicating that their floor traffic was strong and that the quality of leads they received made this one of their best OFC/NFOEC shows," said Colleen Morrison, OSA media specialist. "The strength of the exhibition was also apparent in our sales effort," she said. "Our on-site rebook rate was higher than in previous years." OFC/NFOEC 2006 will be held March 5-10 in Anaheim. For more information, visit: www.osa.org/meetings/ofc/