The Future of Macworld Expo, Exhibitors Approached by CES

[MacRumors]

Apple's announcement that they will no longer participate in future Macworld Expos has cast some doubts on the ongoing viability of the show. The Daily Geek reports that some Macworld vendors are not planing on returning in 2010, while others are taking a wait and see approach. In fact, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is taking advantage of the situation by trying to recruit Macworld exhibitors and promising that they will have a Mac area next year:

"CES told me they're having a Mac centric area next year," said David Polzine, the product manager for SmithMicro Software who was approached by a salesman at Macworld. "If it all moved to CES, that would work better for us."

While some vendors seem to welcome the shift to CES, many attendees we spoke to felt that CES would be a poor substitute to Macworld. Unlike Macworld, CES is a trade show tailored to industry employees and not accessible to the general public.

The Macworld Expo organizers are aware of these issues and held a town meeting addressing the future of the show. Ars Technica reported on the meeting and reveals that IDG is well aware of the unique community aspect of Macworld as compared to other trade shows and is trying to build on that strength.

"This is a different place" than the typical trade show, Kent explained. "We understand and embrace this community, and we want this community to have a say in the conference." IDG has set up a new site, macworldexpo.ning.com , where both attendees and visitors are encouraged to register, get to know each other, and provide feedback and new ideas for helping the show to continue and grow.

Plans for Macworld Expo 2010 are well underway and over 60 vendors are said to have committed to the show. IDG will be leverging some familiar faces in the Mac community for the next show. The NYTimes' David Pogue is slated to give "Anti-Keynote" for the event, while Daring Fireball's John Gruber will be hosting a session of noteworthy discussions in the Mac community.


Article Link: The Future of Macworld Expo, Exhibitors Approached by CES

[Dejavu]

I plan to attend CES next year, and not Macworld. Maybe that's saying something...

Register to CES before Nov.1 for free attendance, otherwise the cost to attend is $100, or $200 at the door.

[VanMac]

I would have attended a MacWorld just to see SJ give the keynote.
Now that Apple have completely pulled, I dont see the point in the whole event.

[Shiner]

Originally Posted by Dejavu

I plan to attend CES next year, and not Macworld. Maybe that's saying something...

Register to CES before Nov.1 for free attendance, otherwise the cost to attend is $100, or $200 at the door.

I completely agree with you. I told my wife, apple pulled out of Macworld next year and she looked at me funny and asked "then what are they going to call it?". Third party world...

Macworld is over, let it go with some dignity. I left my heart in San Francisco!

[iOrlando]

Yeah...i mean just look at the tv and newspapers....most people think macworld is only one day - Tuesday...when apple gives their speech. The media and journalists are who turn macworld into the huge event that it was...no media will go next year since there is no point for them to be there.

I think organizers should:
1) Completely downsize...save on costs...attendance goals should be cut by 2/3..even more...
2) appeal to people like Leo Laporte(sp) and stuff...these people can pull a few followers (maybe not from the east coast)...
3) make it educational event (2 days) ....market it to consumers..not businesses and vendors...

Will people from East Coast make the treck out there? probably not...

Organizers are up against a tough spot with this....

[Sky Blue]

Moving to CES makes a lot of sense.

[john7jr]

Now, if it had been called iPhoneWorld Apple might have stayed.

[arn]

There's certainly a fun community feel to Macworld that might not translate to CES. Also, having actual mac fans and users attending is a large portion. I mean, having a MacRumors meetup or other website meetup just isn't going to easily happy at CES.

I'm hoping they can pull off MWSF 2010. I'll attend if it happens.

Think leveraging Mac-community celebrities is the way to go. Pogue, Gruber. Basically anyone in the Mac community that has a following. In some ways, it could be a great show, though will certainly be different than it currently is.

arn

[nemaslov]

By next year we shall most likely see the Beatles' music on iTunes so why don't they combine MACWORD with the Fest For Beatlefans: http://www.thefestforbeatlesfans.com

[CrackedButter]

Originally Posted by arn

There's certainly a fun community feel to Macworld that might not translate to CES. Also, having actual mac fans and users attending is a large portion. I mean, having a MacRumors meetup or other website meetup just isn't going to easily happy at CES.

I'm hoping they can pull off MWSF 2010. I'll attend if it happens.

Think leveraging Mac-community celebrities is the way to go. Pogue, Gruber. Basically anyone in the Mac community that has a following. In some ways, it could be a great show, though will certainly be different than it currently is.

arn

Agreed, my interest in CES is the gadgets and only the gadgets. My interest in Macworld is what people have to say.

[The Samurai]

Originally Posted by arn

There's certainly a fun community feel to Macworld that might not translate to CES. Also, having actual mac fans and users attending is a large portion. I mean, having a MacRumors meetup or other website meetup just isn't going to easily happy at CES.

I'm hoping they can pull off MWSF 2010. I'll attend if it happens.

Think leveraging Mac-community celebrities is the way to go. Pogue, Gruber. Basically anyone in the Mac community that has a following. In some ways, it could be a great show, though will certainly be different than it currently is.

arn

I second this.

Although i've never been to one, primarily because I am a recent switcher, after seeing this years Macworld event - I did indeed 'drool'. Personally, I think what attracts me is the whole 'community' aspect to the show. I can't see the same happening at CES.

I also agree in that celebrities should attend and hopefully this could give them more attention.

Just my 2 pence worth.

[Jeff_R]

If next year's Macworld is going to be anything like this year's Macworld, I'll pass on next year. It was just a ho-hum event, nothing earth-shattering, nothing "must have".

I would have liked to have been able to attend a SteveNote in the 5 years I went to MacWorld, but oh well, it's gone now.

As mentioned above, a user-centric event, at a significant lower cost, would be great. I was actually thinking when leaving Macworld on Tuesday that, similar to Apple's WWDC, they should consider some type of World Wide Users Conference. Center on Apple and their products, but catered to the users.

[SFStateStudent]

"Something was definitely NOT in the Air" at this year's MWSF '09! I wandered aimlessly at times and the crowds just weren't there either. I agree with previous posters that maybe a downsize of expected turnout, registration of vendors and expo goers. The media certainly helps the expo, but the lack of presence throughout the event takes away from the credibility of IDG's claim to understand the unique community aspect of Macworld. Sure, the media can do 1-3 minutes bites, but their audience can only take repeat bites of the same feed that they took on Tuesday morning. So yes, CES = +1 for me as well (but I'm hoping Macworld can still happen in 2010)...

[RexTraverse]

I could see Macworld losing appeal with people coming from far away or who really only care about visiting the Apple booth. But, I still enjoyed the show this year. It was still lots of fun, still informative, and its still the biggest opportunity for non-industry Mac fans to get together. Unless CES is planning on pulling an E3 and start letting the general public in, it can't take the place of Macworld. Plus the announcement that David Pogue is gonna give the anti-Keynote next year will keep me onboard with Macworld for at least the next year.

[nagromme]

Maybe MacWorld should put on a series of smaller, cheaper mini-Expos, all around the country (or world). Focusing on the community aspect, and the opportunity to connect with other Apple users and developers. Smaller companies could be present due to the lower cost, and if some big names chose to attend some of the mini-Expos, that's great too. Maybe one Expo a month, far smaller than now, with exhibits for a day or three, maybe special events/speakers, but no need for keynotes from anyone. Local Apple stores could have a presence or not.

[iasky]

Originally Posted by nagromme

Maybe MacWorld should put on a series of smaller, cheaper mini-Expos, all around the country (or world). Focusing on the community aspect, and the opportunity to connect with other Apple users and developers. Smaller companies could be present due to the lower cost, and if some big names chose to attend some of the mini-Expos, that's great too. Maybe one Expo a month, far smaller than now, with exhibits for a day or three, maybe special events/speakers, but no need for keynotes from anyone. Local Apple stores could have a presence or not.

Not a bad idea. They used to do a government expo in the early days that was quite nice.

[PruneTracy]

You know, I've only been to two Macworld Expos, and you know, i'm sure I'll get hated for this, but Apple didn't have THAT huge of a presence there either time. Granted, I didn't spend the money to see the keynote, but I don't think most people do. Appleless Macworld will be something to get used to, but it is far from over. It's only over if we think it is

[surferfromuk]

If they'd have moved this to September this would never have happened.

[MattInOz]

Originally Posted by surferfromuk

If they'd have moved this to September this would never have happened.

You Can't do September then it conflicts with PAX.
Now there's idea a miniMacWorld as part of PAX.

[alexbates]

I hope that companies don't move to the CES next year. That would really hurt MacWorld a lot. They have already been hurt by Apple deciding to leave and don't need developers to do the same.

Mabye Apple could allow 3rd party developers to show off new products at their own keynotes or confrences in the future. That might be another reason why they left macworld.

[me_94501]

I think it's important to reiterate that CES is not open to the general public like Macworld is. You need to work in the consumer electronics industry or be a journalist to attend. For that very reason I hope that MWSF can survive.

[duncanapple]

I vote for Fake Steve to do the Keynote at the 2010 Macworld

[Mr Skills]

Originally Posted by arn

There's certainly a fun community feel to Macworld that might not translate to CES. Also, having actual mac fans and users attending is a large portion. I mean, having a MacRumors meetup or other website meetup just isn't going to easily happy at CES.

I'm hoping they can pull off MWSF 2010. I'll attend if it happens.

Think leveraging Mac-community celebrities is the way to go. Pogue, Gruber. Basically anyone in the Mac community that has a following. In some ways, it could be a great show, though will certainly be different than it currently is.

arn

You should do something there Arn!

[bravian]

Originally Posted by me_94501

I think it's important to reiterate that CES is not open to the general public like Macworld is. You need to work in the consumer electronics industry or be a journalist to attend. For that very reason I hope that MWSF can survive.

You don't need to work in the consumer electronics industry or be a journalist to attend. The only requirement is that you can breath and fill out a form.

(don't work in the consumer electronics industry but have attended the show 8 times)

[RexTraverse]

Originally Posted by bravian

You don't need to work in the consumer electronics industry or be a journalist to attend. The only requirement is that you can breath and fill out a form.

(don't work in the consumer electronics industry but have attended the show 8 times)

If you got in, great. I have friends that were able to get into E3 back when it was also a industry-only trade show. This, however, is from the Registration Page for CES. It's at the top of the page in bold text on Page 1:

Attendance Requirements
The International CES is not open to the general public and all attendees must be in the consumer electronics industry to be eligible to attend the show. Due to the investment made by our exhibitors, International CES Show Management wants to ensure that its attendees are members of the trade. All attendees must provide two forms of ID: one photo ID and the other proving their affiliation with the consumer electronics industry (pay stub, business card, etc.) Attendees will not be admitted into the 2009 International CES without these two forms of ID.

Point is, if you choose to misrepresent yourself and didn't get caught, that's a very different thing than being open to the general public.