IDG Apple Back In Talks, Apple Will For Sure Attend SF Show

by , 5:00 PM EDT, October 21st, 2002

Earlier today, we reported that IDG World Expos and Apple were in the middle of a schoolyard showdown, with each party raising the stakes in public statements. News.com is reporting this afternoon that the two companies have backed down from some of the rhetoric, and begun talking about the issues. The short version of the story is that Apple will for sure attend Macworld San Francisco in January, as well as the New York 2003 show, and that the two companies are discussing Apple's role in the Boston show, come 2004. From News.com:

However, IDG has now backpedaled from that stance. On Monday, the trade show organizer said Apple will indeed take part in January's Macworld Expo in San Francisco and said the parties remain in talks about Apple's participation in future East Coast shows.

"IDG World Expo and Apple have...agreed to hold ongoing discussions about Apple's role in upcoming East Coast Macworld events," IDG said in a statement it sent to CNET News.com. An Apple representative declined to comment

[...]

"Macworld July 2003 (in New York) is on, period. Macworld July 2004 Boston is on...We're on with or without them ," Greco told CNET News.com last week. "We would very much prefer that they come and support the event as they have for 18 years."

Greco said that IDG World Expo probably does have a way out of its multiyear contract with Boston, but said that Macworld Expo is definitely moving to Beantown.

"We have lots of options here in Boston, but we are not going to exercise them," Greco said, adding that the Boston show will be cheaper to run and less expensive for companies that want to set up a booth at the event. "It will do better here," Greco said. "It will be more profitable for exhibitors."

There is more background information in the full News.com story, including possible routes that Apple may take going forward.

The Mac Observer Spin:

Our prognostication is that the two companies will reach a relatively simple compromise. Apple will blow out the San Francisco expos full force in the Winter, while the company will attend the Summer Boston shows, but with a scaled down presence. See? It's that easy, and we again shake the finger of shame at both companies for not having the maturity to work this out behind closed doors.

At a time when Apple can not afford any appearance of weakness, and the Macworld shows need to foster interest in order to maintain the regain the momentum that had sent both shows soaring in popularity through 2001 and the early part of 2002, these shenanigans were irresponsible for both parties. It will be interesting if shareholders from either company let their feelings on the issue be heard at shareholder meetings.