In just the latest renaming and reshuffling in the communications trade show arena, NetWorld+Interop which is approaching its twentieth anniversary is changing its names to simply Interop.

The producers of Interop, MediaLive International Inc., say they changed the shows name to reflect the shift in the IT infrastructure industry toward IP convergence. The name takes effect next week, when Interop 2005 will be held in Las Vegas.

“The converged network has taken center stage as the key enabler of technology innovations such as VoIP, collaboration, mobility and security,” said Lenny Heymann, Interop vice president and general manager, in a statement. “As such, Interop will take center stage as the event that highlights how all of the pieces fit together to deliver the promise of IT.”

In a similar move, the United States Telecom Association recently unveiled plans for a new trade show to be held in spring 2006 that USTA President and CEO Walter B. McCormick says will replace SUPERCOMM as the premier industry event. Called TelecomNEXT, the new trade show is set for March 19-25, in Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay. The new show will replace both USTAs own three-year-old annual fall TELECOM trade show and its participation in SUPERCOMM, an expo it jointly owned with TIA. TIA plans to hold its own event, GlobalComm, June 5-8 in Chicago.