I attend COMDEX (in Las Vegas in November) every year and usually encounter huge crowds, crowded flights, and over-priced hotels. I'm wondering if any of my fellow Fodorites have any thoughts on what COMDEX will be like this year...do you think attendance will be lower? If so, do you think hotels will lower their rates, or should I go and and reserve now?
Thanks

I don't follow this closely, but I did hear something (on NPR, maybe?) that this was likely to be one of the big industry shows that would still be big. It's hard to believe there wouldn't be some fallout, between 9/11 and the industry as a whole, but a smaller COMDEX than usual is still BIG. I would probably book if you're definitely going. Just be careful about the booking services-- I have run into several in Vegas with cancellation fees.

Based on what I'm seeing in other cities, and have already heard about LV conventions in October, I'll be surprised if you see any breaks on hotel rates for COMDEX.
Attendance could be off 10-15%, but that won't make much of a dent.

I live in SEA and quite a few of my friends who are in the software industry are still going. They've had reservations for quite awhile now. I'd strongly suggest you book now.

When in Novermber is this convention?

I would also like to know when COMDEX is. Thinking of going to LV sometime in November, but don't want to co-incide with that convention.

Thanks everyone for your replies, not sure yet what I'll do...

COMDEX is the week of November 11-16.

It's been a couple of years since I have been to Comdex but, the crowds thinned out dramatically as the week wore on. During the last two days of the show hotels would start dropping their rates and airline seats were readily available. If you can be flexible, I'd suggest visting Wednesday or Thursday.