E3: Organisers report record attendance at 2005 event

After three days of noise, bustle and excitement, the LA Convention Center stands quiet now that the world's biggest interactive entertainment trade show has closed its doors for another year.

More than 70,000 industry professionals from 79 countries attended E3 2005, according to show organiser the Entertainment Software Association.

The convention center's 547,000 square feet of space were occupied by approximately 400 exhibitors displaying over 5000 interactive products. Around 20 per cent of these products were on show for the first time, and 80 per cent will by in the shops by Christmas.

"E3 has consistently been the exclusive venue to launch the products and showcase the groundbreaking innovations that shape interactive entertainment," said ESA president Doug Lowenstein.

"E3 has once again delivered the latest industry advances, across thousands of feet of exhibit space where attendees conduct business, showcase the newest products, network and connect with industry leaders."

Now in its eleventh year, E3 is still considered to be the biggest event in the industry calendar for developers and publishers across the globe. The 2005 expo was undoubtedly one of the more memorable of recent years, with Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo all unveiling their next-generation consoles. It's already been confirmed that E3 2006 will take place from May 10-12 in Los Angeles.