ATLANTA - Supercomm may lose its crown as Atlanta's biggest trade show. <br>
<br>
Attendance at the annual telecommunications conference - which ends Thursday - is down 25 to 30 percent short of the 53,000 who attended the show last year. <br>
<br>
Supercomm officials say this year's final attendance could range between 35 to 40,000. Officials had been hoping for 50,000 visitors. <br>
<br>
The show - held at the Georgia World Congress Center - had been growing until last year, when it dropped to 52,822 in attendance from the previous year's 53,260. <br>
<br>
Supercomm manager Jack Chalden blames the tough economic times - especially in the telecommunications industry. He said exhibits are being staffed by 25 percent fewer people than last year. <br>
<br>
Managers said foreign participation is one of the few growth areas for this year's show. About a hundred countries are represented, including China, Israel, Japan, Korea and Brazil along with some from Africa.