NEW YORK -- Light Reading's third U.S. Ethernet Expo -- the largest to date -- has come to a close. The event drew nearly 700 participants (exhibitors included), with roughly 230 service-provider representatives among them.

There's no question carrier Ethernet is a hot topic these days, with pretty much every major carrier planning services rollouts during the next year. AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) and Verizon Enterprise Solutions outlined some ambitious goals in a set of well received keynotes, while panel sessions let service providers and equipment vendors discuss the technical details behind Ethernet services. (See AT&T, Verizon Expand on Ethernet, E Is for Ethernet, and Ethernet Expo II.)

The show was also a platform for Heavy Reading's first Service Provider of the Year awards, where AT&T, Verizon Business, and Yipes Enterprise Services Inc. took home the honors. (See HR Presents Ethernet Provider Awards.)

Of course, the Light Reading lens was there to capture it all, especially the parts where attendees were handed free drinks to help embarrass themselves. Enjoy these action shots of the conference, while our staff goes back to the planning room to start work on next year's event.

— Craig Matsumoto, Senior Editor, Light Reading