– 111 – (3.4 – Other conferences and related matters) R 1292 (C08) World and regional telecommunication/information and communication technology exhibitions and forums The Council, recalling Resolution 11 of the Plenipotentiary Conference (Rev. Antalya, 2006) on world and regional telecommunication/information and communication technology exhibitions and forums (ITU TELECOM), considering a) that ITU TELECOM WORLD was launched in 1971 in Geneva and ten events have been held by 2006; b) that regional ITU TELECOM events were introduced in 1985 to showcase each region’s achievements and challenges; c) that ITU TELECOM events sometimes have been a great success and sometimes suffered a set-back due in part to economic downturn; d) that ITU TELECOM events are facing a great challenge for the need to adjust to current market realities, which have been shaped by privatization, convergence, consolidation of the ICT industry and the entry of new players that are not traditional ITU members; e) that ITU TELECOM events are also facing challenges such as the increasing costs of exhibits and the trend towards reducing their size, and the need to give value to industry; f) that the market for exhibitions and forums has become extremely competitive and specialized; g) that regional ITU TELECOM events are facing the greatest competition because there are too many commercial regional events, noting a) that a lead time of at least two years from conclusion of the host country agreement would provide a conducive environment for success of each event; b) that exhibitors are seeking predictability in the calendar of ITU TELECOM events and a good return on investment; c) that the increasing speed of introduction of new technology and services requires that the current four-year cycle be reconsidered and shortened; d) that such a shortened timetable would provide the predictability of the time and place of ITU TELECOM WORLD events, which is necessary for exhibitors to include them regularly in their marketing plan and budget; e) that while the level of interest in ITU TELECOM WORLD events continues to make them viable, there was nearly no backing for regional ITU TELECOM events among exhibitors; f) that the ITU TELECOM brand remains a most respected and authoritative event where participants expect high-level dialogues to take place between Member States and the private sector; g) that in the year 2011, forty (40) years after its inception, ITU TELECOM has a unique opportunity to adapt fully to those new market conditions,