Oracle expects record turnout at technology show

SAN FRANCISCO: Database giant Oracle Corp. is forecasting record turnout for

its annual technology show that kicks off Sunday in San Francisco, despite

lackluster attendance at a number of trade and technical shows since the Sept.

11 air attacks.

"We think it will be the biggest one ever," Jeremy Burton, Oracle

senior vice president of product marketing, said of this year's Open World

conference running from Dec. 2-7 at the city's Moscone Center.

He figures that up to 40,000 people will turn out for the week-long event,

which opens with a talk from NBC News Anchor and Managing Editor Tom Brokaw.

"We'll definitely pass last year," when between 30,000 and 35,000

people attended, Burton said.

More than 30,000 already have preregistered for the event, which tends to

draw about 5,000 to 7,000 walk-in attendees.

Burton said this year's speakers -- including Compaq Computer Corp. Chief

Executive Michael Capellas, Sun Microsystems Inc. Chief Executive Scott McNealy,

Silicon Valley icon Marc Andreessen, now at Loudcloud Inc., and Oracle Chief

Executive Larry Ellison -- appeared to have been a big draw.

Throughout the week, Redwood Shores, California-based Oracle is slated to

unveil technology tweaks to its application server and database products,

announce key customer wins, host a job fair and sponsor off-site forums for

small businesses and life sciences companies.

(C) Reuters Limited.