As well as formal policy discussion, expect informal meetings over coffee with colleagues, plus a mini-exhibition from vendors specialising in IT for local authorities. The Computers in Manufacturing show always strikes at the heart of IT in this sector. Last year the focus was on the internet and its use within the sector. An annual showpiece event organised by analyst and research firm Gartner. The symposium includes a variety of conference tracks from ebusiness and application integration to the future of the chief information officer and database strategies.
Delegates can listen to a range of analysts as they make their predictions for the future.
In addition to the conference there is a large exhibition from a variety of vendors, who also organise briefings for delegates, plus best practice workshops and roundtables. This IT juggernaut closes the events diary for 2001. Each year the masses descend on Las Vegas to scoop the latest product news and tap IT trends. Last year, the hot topics were the future of the PC and the mobile market. Bill Gates was involved in his own personal challenge, when he and Larry Ellison had a showdown over corporate mugs - whether they will repeat the exercise in 2001 remains to be seen.