“Steve Jobs made clear a long time ago his Apple Computer wasn’t showing up at the Macworld Conference Expo when it moves from New York to Boston next month. Maybe Bill Gates wasn’t happy with the change either,” Keith Reed reports for MacNewsWorld.
“Dozens of former exhibitors, including software giant Microsoft, will be absent from what was once the granddaddy of technology trade shows on the East Coast. Macworld, which will return to Boston in July after an eight-year absence, has attracted 50 exhibitors so far, compared to 131 last year. Organizers said they expect the number of exhibitors to reach as many as 80 before the convention starts July 12, still 39 percent fewer than last year,” Reed reports.
“Among the previous exhibitors who aren’t on the list for Boston are Apple, Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, Sony, and many others that have significant sales to the Apple community. Macworld’s organizers and some exhibitors who are attending acknowledged yesterday that moving the convention reduced its appeal for many of the companies that helped make the event a must-attend for Macintosh enthusiasts through much of the 1990s,” Reed reports.
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: This so-called “Macworld Expo” really isn’t a Macworld; the real Macworld is in San Francisco, once a year in January. With no Steve Jobs Keynote, no Apple presence and the lack of dozens of major vendors, this thing in Boston promises to be a snoozefest. For the record, we wish the show had remained in New York, the way it was just a few years ago, with a Steve Jobs Keynote and the whole ball of wax. It was fun. Oh, well, things change.
I think Apple is trying to get away from event-based hardware releases, and the MacWorld Expos were a big part of that.
When IDG decided to move the show back to Boston, I think Apple just saw its way out. Either that or it was just a petulant Jobs reaction.
Anyway, I’ll be there to get show prices, and to feel the love of the Apple faithful. If Apple isn’t there, it’ll be less cool, but it’s still worth going to, since I live in Boston.
Steve Jobs reportedly wanted to stay in NY because it is the capital of Creative and Graphic Arts. Boston is not.
Anyway, Apple is supposed to be exhibiting at the DV (Digital Video) Expo in NY during the same week as the Boston MacWorld.
The interesting this is the smaller airport in my area just started a new line fro Akron, OH to Boston, MA. $131 round trip with all taxes and fees. I couldn’t get to NY for that price let alone back home. I might actually be able to afford to go this year. and find a place to stay if no one pllans on going. LOL
apple has so slowed its computer development, once a year apple expo is getting to be too much….maybe apple should skip and have macexpo every two years….
or change it to ipodexpo….
Well actually I like Boston and i love the trip over the river from the airport. But it’s like saying we’ll move a fest from London to Manchester, or Brussels to Luxemburg. New York is the draw. Boston is the drawl.
yeah, no one knows what you mean by london to manchester or brussels to luxemburg. new york is about as cool as a boner in sweat pants. NOMAAHHHHH
I reside in NYC and this was a difficult decision to make. I cut a deal with my company to cover my fee..but it is going to be $700+ (hotel, trans and food) of my pocket money to cover the rest. I live on a NYC income (dont’ kid yourselves, I work for a billion dollar company but after taxes I earn what a midwestern teacher makes) and plus with NYC expense..this is quite a bit of cash! I guess I won’t be buying any goodies at the conference. Shame.
I agree (from earlier comment) that NYC has more creative and Mac enthusiasts as any other city next to San Francisco. The only time I see a PC is in a corporate office. This Boston move by IDF was a “duh” bad decision for IDG. Big loss of money. If the Javitz center was too much money to host..find another place..It’s not like NYC is devoid of places to rent. Break up the keynote in one place..and the expo in another? Do you know how many theatres we have to rent?
If I am wondering if I should make San Francisco my place to go, from now on, since I am spending so much anyway. JetBlue has a good deal!
Kimbakat, the SF expo is really a gas. Your expenses won’t be any lower than in Boston, but it really is the center of the Apple universe for a week or so.