UN: Geneva to host major telecom fair in 2011

GENEVA - The United Nations has chosen Geneva to host the 2011 edition of Telecom World, a major international trade show for telecommunications held every couple of years.

The Swiss city hosted the event for three decades until losing out to Hong Kong for the 2006 show. It beat out Birmingham, England; Dubai and Paris to reclaim the worldwide fair set for Oct. 5-9 this year.

The International Telecommunication Union said Thursday that its flagship event would remain in Geneva in 2011. No bids were sought this time.

The last Geneva show in 2003 included more than 900 companies from 51 countries, and drew 100,000 spectators. It pumped nearly $200 million into the local economy.

But high costs resulting in part from the strong Swiss franc had irritated some participants.

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