Ethernet products were evident in many stands at SPS/IPC/Drives. In fact, the show was the occasion for the founding meeting of IAONA Europe (Industrial Automation Open Networking Alliance) on Nov. 23. This European counterpart of IAONA "USA" (Waltham, Mass.) promotes the use of Ethernet in industrial automation technologies. Leading manufacturers and user companies in automation technologies make up these alliances. Some people still regard SPS/IPC/Drives as a regional show, however it is evolving into an international event in terms of both exhibitors' and visitors' countries of origin. Strong growth of exhibitors from other parts of Europe adds to the overall image. Joseph Rath, managing director of show organizer Mesago GmbH (Stuttgart, Germany), refers to SPS/IPC/Drives as "Europe's largest 'special-interest fair' for electrical automation technology." Many company names seen at comparable North American shows, such as National Manufacturing Week, are found here as well—albeit under local subsidiaries. Kurt Küherz, managing director of Rockwell Automation Germany (Haan, Germany) commented on the show's regional origins and its recent growth at the present site. It has been held at Nürnberg's Exhibition Center since 1997. He sees SPS/IPC/Drives as a highly focused show. "Many skilled people attend the show, looking for answers to highly technical, application-specific questions and looking for solutions," Mr. Küherz told Control Engineering. Never far in the background at this show, numerous manufacturers offered motor, drive, and motion control technologies. See more online at www.controleng.com.