The 28th edition of Siggraph opened in Los Angeles this week with an attendance of 34,024 individuals from 73 countries and 303 exhibitors. In twenty eight years, the annual Conference on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques as evolved in many ways. It has grown from a small, diverse handful of researchers, artists, developers, filmmakers, scientists and other professionals sharing interests in computer graphics and interactive techniques to become a burgeoning, world-class event.

Fortunately, the core of Siggraph still remains a highly personalized community of "cross-disciplinary seekers" that retain a passion for excellence, the arts, integrity, creative exploration and cooperation that is uncommon for such a large and wide-ranging organization. This event is part communal, very techie and always exciting to both attend and participate. This is no ordinary trade show or conference!

The Siggraph banner was clearly displayed across both of the LA Convention Center's towers. Groups of artists and graphic designers gathered in small focused gatherings near the entrances for tech and art discussions. These talks ranged from very creative, passionate cutting edge art and graphics discussions to commercial business venture strategies debates. Even executives with current products like entreatment CGI and 3D Rapid Prototyping, with focus on automotive and aerospace applications were heard in the south lobby cafe, talking about the best ways to present their products. At the same time, leading edge scientific visualization exhibits were being set up in the concourse exhibit rooms. Intense individual and group discussions were also evident in the many excellent technical conferences, throughout the entire convention center and at the evening gatherings.

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