Do all Macworlds suck this much?

I thought it was just me. Sure, this is my first Macworld and perhaps I had been building unrealistic expectations about it in my mind (much like my level of fame). However, now I know that it isn't just me.

I'm sitting here in the Media room (we get free water!) and chatting with Jeff Stutzman of Hammerhead Research. He turned to me and said, 'So what do you think of the Expo?'

We shared a knowing look and both agreed that it sucks. I know that a lot of work went into making this conference, and perhaps the sessions are great, but the show floor is small and rather pathetic. The biggest topic of discussion are the companies that aren't here (i.e. Apple), oh, and the weather is really nice.

I am going to go prowl the show floor for a little while, and perhaps I will find something that I missed that will knock my socks off, but I doubt it. I'm with C.K., let's have Macworld where it belongs, in New York City.

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Macworld Analysis / Opinion

I thought it was just me. Sure, this is my first Macworld and perhaps I had been building unrealistic expectations about it in my mind...

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Frank

Although I can't say I have been to MW in Boston, I can assure you that MWSF this year was a blast. Attendance was much higher this year than in previous years, and I can honestly say it was one of the best conventions I have ever been to. There wasn't much swag, but that has become the norm from almost all vendors over the past few years. That isn't something unique to Macworld. Something is just fundamentally wrong about having a convention named MacWorld and Apple not being there in full force. There's nobody to blame but IDG for that. I am with you - bring MacWorld back to NYC where it belongs! Although you really have to question whether it is necessary to have 2 Macworlds in one year? I think between MWSF and WWDC, that should be enough of a fix for anyone...

July 13 2005 at 1:43 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Dan

I've been attending MacWorld Expos since 1996 Boston. I've been to Boston, New York and San Francisco (not every show, but two east coast and three west coast). I definitely have noticed _serious_ decline in attendance and quality. Vendors used to give out tons of free merchandise, even if it was low budget gimmick junk. Now you don't get more than a flyer. Even the last three years in SF have dropped off. This latest show was half the capacity of previous shows. Sad. Let's hope that Apple's enhanced brand recognition brings larger turnouts in January.

July 13 2005 at 12:45 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Kristin Wenzel

Yeah, seriously. I mean, I've seen some cool stuff, and had a pretty good time, but damn dude I don't see why this needs to be 4 days long. Bleh. I've been having a lot more fun peoplewatching and writing about the convention itself, rather than what's going on here.

July 13 2005 at 12:38 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Sam C

From what I've heard Macworld Boston has been pretty much deserted since Apple stopped showing up. Bring it back to NYC and watch the party come back. Holla!

July 12 2005 at 11:34 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Michael

Duh. Everyone knows that Apple ditched the summer Macworld a long time ago.

July 12 2005 at 10:55 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Michael

The Saft Safari plug-in is acting crazy, too. It says the Safari version is not recognized and hangs at the dialog asking you to disable or try anyway, forcing you into a force quit.

July 12 2005 at 7:37 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply