BALTIMORE, Md., June 5 -- It was good news and bad news for exhibitors attending the exhibitors' breakfast on the final morning of the technical exhibit at CLEO 2003.
   The good news was that attendance at that point nearly matched last year's 6000 figure, falling short by a few hundred. Also on the positive side was an increase in technical attendance and papers. The bad news was a decline in the number of exhibiting companies.
   The exhibitors were told that the committees planning next year's event in San Francisco are exploring several possible enhancements, including broadening the show's scope to include laser manufacturing and changing the exhibit hours to make them more compatible with attendees' needs.
   While some aspects of the conference/technical exhibit fell short of expectations, others surely met or exceeded them. The LEAP sessions for the most part played to standing-room only crowds throughout the day, and the plenary session filled the ballroom.
   A survey by Photonics.com of exhibitors found a vast majority were satisfied with the volume and quality of traffic, a result that has to be put in the "good news" category.