The European Conference on Optical Communications (ECOC), the world's second largest conference and exhibition in its field, comes to Glasgow in September with stand space already selling fast and with what promises to be a truly global presence among its hundreds of exhibitors.

This year's event is being staged at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC), the United Kingdom's largest integrated exhibition and conference centre. It will include several new features such as short courses on the latest technology, workshops and tutorials. There will also be an online press office for the first time, to provide facilities for the increasing global media interest in ECOC.

"We started to see a turn for the better at ECOC 2004 in Stockholm both in terms of the quality of visitors and the international involvement," said Highbury Business Marketing Manager Simon Kears, "and the signs that a real momentum is beginning to build within the industry".

While a particularly strong presence is expected this year from across the UK, exhibitors have already registered from around the world, including the US, Canada, the Middle East and Asia.

ECOC - now in its 31st year - is Europe's largest optical communications conference and exhibition and attracts senior figures to both events. This year's conference is being held from September 25-29, with the exhibition taking place on September 26-28.

Robin Miller, sales manager, international associations, at the SECC said, "ECOC has established a reputation for being a truly world-class event, attracting high delegate numbers and eminent professionals from across the industry. It's the kind of event that the SECC was designed to cater for and I'm sure that ECOC 2005 in Glasgow will be a resounding success."