SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan. 24 -- An army of workers from the 600 exhibiting companies and convention set-up employees labored throughout the day and into the night Monday to ready the exhibit halls at the San Jose Convention Center for the opening of Photonics West's technical exhibit, which runs from January 23 to 25. The red carpet is out for attendees at San Jose's Convention Center. In fact, the exhibit portion of the conference has grown to the extent that 80 companies will be exhibiting across from the main center at the Parkside Hall. To ensure that no one misses it, a red carpet has been laid from the main hall to the Parkside entrance. Inside the main hall conference organizer SPIE has set up three "Town Squares," areas where product and technology demonstrations will be given, and other amenities made available. The Town Squares, Laser Town Square, Photonics Town Square and Imaging & Display Town Square, reflect the broad technological and marketing influences at the conference. While the exhibits are the most visible aspect of the conference, the equally important conference portion has been moving along as scheduled with papers being given and meetings being held since Saturday. Also in full swing are SPIE's Career Center and Fair, and SPIE Marketplace. Conference officials expect in excess of 13,000 attendees before the show winds down. Asked how they felt about the growth in size and importance of Photonics West, one official commented, "It's scary."