More Vendors Downsizing or Withdrawing from Macworld SF 2009?
The move is deemed especially surprising for Belkin, which has not only been one of Macworld Expo's largest exhibitors in the past but is believed to have already paid for its booth space this year, people aware of the situation say.
Meanwhile, Google is said to be downsizing their booth size as well as a couple of other unnamed vendors.While the worsening economy is cited as the likely reason, much of the cost for the spaces have reportedly already been collected. Regardless, as a result, they expect Macworld 2009 to be a smaller show than last year. MacRumors, of course, will be present to provide coverage of the show. Apple is expected to introduce new products at the event which kicks off on January 5th, 2009.
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(View all)I guess either Apple will have to put on a great show and showing, or it will kind of flop over and not be all that big of a deal. The current rumors floating around don't sound like any huge announcements will be made as far as I'm aware. Maybe spec boosted iMac. It would be cool if they announced the new Mac Pros, but I think the entire redesigning/revamping of the Mac Mini line would make it a great show. I'm not in the market, but it is a great product and in my opinion shouldn't be cast aside. I'd also love the rest of the new Cinema Display line to be announced, assuming there is more to the line.
Take a look at this old blog post from 2005 by Paul at Rogue Amoeba. He noted that to rent a wastebasket was $19.50 per day with a $38 a day charge to empty it!
Macworld Editor Jason Snell even commented that a plate of cookies is $100.
I know Alex Lindsay (of Pixel Corps and MacBreak Weekly) has mentioned several times that you can't even set up your own table or chair because of the union contracts.
Others have said that you can't carry in your own boxes of materials.
http://www.rogueamoeba.com/utm/posts/Article/Airport-Economics-2005-12-15-18-00.html
From Apple's perspective, it might make sense to get away from the high expectations generated every January. That would also make it easier for Steve Jobs to stop doing keynotes as Apple prepares for succession to a CEO with less showmanship.
And a floor-sweeper made that kind of money because fools like me were willing to pay it.
Like printed catalogs, trade shows are rapidly becoming obsolete and even silly. As a promotional tool, they reach very few customers, so why bother? An exception would be technical society meetings or other specialized-market conferences where practically the whole global customer base can fit onto the show floor and attendance becomes a major perk for the customer. Shows like that are staged in destination cities like Frisco. It makes far less sense for companies like Belkin to do something of the sort in a broadly horizontal market with millions of customers. Hats off to Belkin for their common sense and the courage to act on it.
Will Apple even be at Macworld this year? I can't believe that all these companies are dropping out.
Been to quite a few trade shows back in the late 90's, don't see what the fuss is all about. The keynote should be available online and hopefully in real-time in the near future.
Too bad...
I guess either Apple will have to put on a great show and showing, or it will kind of flop over and not be all that big of a deal. The current rumors floating around don't sound like any huge announcements will be made as far as I'm aware. Maybe spec boosted iMac. It would be cool if they announced the new Mac Pros, but I think the entire redesigning/revamping of the Mac Mini line would make it a great show. I'm not in the market, but it is a great product and in my opinion shouldn't be cast aside. I'd also love the rest of the new Cinema Display line to be announced, assuming there is more to the line.
hey its a weird concept mac computers at macworld what a concept :rolleyes:
cant wait for new imacs :)
Anyways, I can't wait to see what's next (new products). If there isn't any new products, I'm gonna buy the new MacBook for school cause my MacBook Pro is way to heavy for school. But I want a MacBook touch so badddd!!
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