[Industry news ]Sold-out SPI, largest solar convention in U.S., gets underway

Solar Power International (SPI) kicked off on Oct. 17 with all booth space sold out, as the event moved from California to Dallas for the first time. Its an auspicious start for the largest solar conference in the U.S., which is expected to draw about 21,000 attendees.
The conference is put on by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and the Solar Energy Power Association (SEPA). The event is a hotbed of new product announcements, deals and a chance for solar industry players to trade ideas, make deals, learn about industry trends and business issues, among other things.
Solar Power International is the must attend conference for businesses and professionals looking to break into the fastest growing industry in America, said Rhone Resch, SEIA CEO said in a press release.
While its not the first time the shows sold out, it is the first time the number of vendors was great enough to warrant booths outside the main convention center and the first time it has been hosted outside of California.
For the first time for the show being outside the state of California, were thrilled about it. Its a new market, and were very pleased to have that kind of a turnout, said Brian Tully, executive director of the Sola