I have to give GITA credit: it stepped up and shared its attendence figures for this year's event (my colleague reviewed it here) and acknowledged a drop off in attendees (press release). In past years the organization was not as forthcoming (also here), even as the media expressed concern about its perception of negative growth.

The facts:

[There was an] increase of 14% in seminar registrations and a 10% increase in first-time attendees. A total of 1,520 attendees participated in this year's event (down from 1,855 in 2006).

The release goes on to explain that 202 of the 335 fewer people were vendor reps. The total number of actual attendees (non-vendors, non VIPs, etc.) was 966. There were 84 exhibitors this year (no details on last year).

The event and these details allow GITA to focus on next years event, to be co-locted with ACSM in Seattle, something that's received universal praise, so far as I can tell. GITA also plans to beat the local Seattle bushes to involve that community in planning and execution of the 2008 event. I for one am looking forward to a new, improved GITA event.