Comdex '05 Cancellation Draws Yawns.

Information technology (IT) managers have reacted to news the Comdex trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada, was canceled for the second straight year. They said that the onetime main event in the computer industry had lost its focus in recent years, becoming a showcase for products and technology that were of little interest to corporate IT. This was unlike during the early 1990's, when Comdex was the place to see the latest computer technologies that were rapidly rolling out. But that changed as Comdex showcased mundane accessories such as mouse pads. IT managers expressed concerns after the event became overwhelming, and value was diluted. Dwindling attendance has also been a factor. About 40,000 people attended the show two years ago, down from some 200,000 in its heyday.