Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Odds and ends
Macworld Expo Boston 06, we hardly knew ye
Even though we've had meetups at and reports from Macworld Expo Boston, and even though Dave Caolo all but promised us Macworld was staying in Boston, it appears more powerful forces were at work, as Macworld is reporting that Macworld Expo Boston has been cancelled - for good. The reason is no surprise: support and attendance. Both have been dwindling since IDG World Expo moved the summer Macworld expo back to Boston from NY, despite Apple pulling out in 2004. IDG World Expo has stated they'll still be working closely with Apple to put on a darn snazzy San Francisco expo from here on out. Honestly I'm kind of surprised. I know support and interest have been slowly declining, but Apple is on such a hot streak right now that I figured the event would rebound sooner or later. So what really gives? Is Apple "that guy" who just has to be at the party to get things rockin?
[via MacSlash]

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jonathan said 10:24AM on 9-17-2005
Look at it this way: imagine if BMW, Mercedes, and Volkswagen had pulled out of the Frankfurt Auto Show but the organizers decided to keep the show running anyways. That's what it's like to run a Macworld Expo without Apple: the very reason for many people to be there is gone.
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EatingPie said 8:22PM on 9-17-2005
Duh! Apple bailed on MW:Boston when it moved from New York. Apple even said that if it stayed in/moved back to NYC, they'd stick. The loss of Apple is the most likely cause of MW:Boston's demise.
Um... Macworld WITHOUT Apple??? Can't wait to buy my tickets!
IDG had time to move it back, as the attendance dwindled over the intervening years. But nooooo.... *Sigh*
-Pie
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token said 3:51PM on 9-17-2005
I think without Apple there and at least a possiblity of something big happening, this event was destined for a quick death.
I attended both '04 and '05 expos in Boston, and they were both terrible. '04 in particular since it was in the new convention center and looked pathetically small in such a huge space.
This year it was back in Hynes and looked a bit better, but it was still one of the most boring expos I've been to. The worst part was, there was practically no free stuff. That is the best part of any conference oe expo. LinuxWorld at Hynes was far more interesting and I came away with tons of neat free stuff. Some if I actually use on a daily basis.
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SR said 10:46PM on 9-17-2005
i used to be 'that guy' that brought some life to the party. usually it was once i had a few drinks and then the girls start encouraging me to do some chippendale routine, usually involving taking my shirt off... hahhaha ah, good times. i don't think i could do it professionally, too much female testo-estrogen to deal with ;) :D :D
yes. look, SF is a great city but a once-a-year special-extravaganza, not everyone can make it. NYC with apple turning up, east coast representin', it's a no-brainer!! and hello, apple's stock is at an all time high. i'm sure tons of people would like to turn up and check out evertyhing. east coast has financial, artsy, techy, everything going on there. dumb IDG :(
and then the midwestian's that cant make west coast macworld can do an east coast macworld...... while yes NYC macworld accommodation and stuff will be expensive, SF is still an expensive city so no big difference at the end of the day, depending on where you decide to stay in NYC. plus tri-state-area people is a huge huge audience to drop in at NYC macworld.
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SR said 10:50PM on 9-17-2005
PLUS if IDG could wrangle it with apple, they could have more of a focus distinguishing the two, just to give it a bit of flavour.
Macworld SF 2006 would be the flagship, consumer, etc.
Macworld NYC 2006 would be a strong edu- and gov- (think washington, virginia, etc...) focus
of course, with both west and east coast Macworlds' having the strong design/music/etc... stuff
macworld sf, macworld ny, wwdc sf, macworld paris, that would be a nice yearly portfolio, particularly for the third-party developers and stuff that really enhance the apple experience.
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Don said 7:15PM on 9-18-2005
There is a 7 day a week Macworld called the Apple store in every major city. Check it out.
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