Apple, IDG Renames Macworld New York, Again; Welcome To Macworld CreativePro

by , 10:30 AM EDT, April 22nd, 2003

IDG and Apple have given the summer Macworld show yet another name change. After a big bruhaha between the two companies over the fate of the New York show -- including a move back to Boston, a subsequent announcement by Apple that it wouldn't participate in the Boston show, a threat from IDG (and a public reconciliation) concerning last January's San Francisco show, sharp words for Apple from departing IDG chief Charlie Greco, and then finally, a compromise between the two companies with the transition of the New York show into the smaller, more focused CREATE -- the show has been officially redesignated as Macworld CreativePro Conference & Expo. IDG is not offering a reason for the name change, but is touting it as an effort to "further define the event's focus." From IDG:

IDG World Expo today announced that the summer 2003 event focusing on technology and professional solutions for the creative arts has been re-named Macworld CreativePro Conference & Expo. Originally announced by IDG World Expo and Apple on March 26, 2003 as "CREATE," this event will address the needs of creative professionals in design and publishing, video and music. Macworld CreativePro Conference & Expo will take place July 14-18, 2003 at New York City's Javits Center.

The name change further defines the event's focus on the needs of creative professionals, as well as consumers who want to develop more advanced skills in the creative arts.

Macworld CreativePro Conference & Expo will attract filmmakers, directors, graphic designers, photographers, broadcast journalists, publishers, musicians, music executives, producers and others driven by a desire to learn the latest creative techniques and to exchange new ideas with their peers.

Macworld CreativePro Conference & Expo is presented by IDG World Expo and Apple.

You can find more information on Macworld CreativePro at the Macworld Expo Web site.

The Mac Observer Spin:

Will this saga never end? For the record, we think the new name is a substantially better name for the show than "CREATE" was. In fact, it's the name that IDG and Apple should have stuck with in the first place if they really wanted to change the name. Macworld CreativePro keeps the connection to Macworld alive, which is absolutely key to attract attendees who don't follow industry news, while allowing for the refocused nature of the event to be clear at the same time. In those terms, this is a welcome change.

In the meanwhile, the schizophrenia that has surrounded this show has only hurt its potential. Starting with the late compromise that left many vendors in a crunch, all the threats and public bickering between Apple and IDG, and now an even more last-minute name change... None of this contributes to the air of permanence that a trade show needs to have credibility with attendees and vendors alike.

Hopefully, the naming issue is at last, and finally, resolved, and IDG and Apple both can get on with promoting this event.

Macworld CreativePro