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Macworld Boston - Macworld Show Floor Packed
by , 2:30 PM EDT, July 13th, 2004
OPINION -- Although this year's Macworld Boston is a bit smaller than even last summer's Macworld New York, the show floor is packed with Mac users (see our images from Day 1). IDG's official estimate remains at an expected turnout of 10,000 people, and actual numbers will not be released until IDG's attendance figures are fully audited, but the 79 vendors in attendance seem to have all the foot traffic they can handle.
The East Coast Macworld had been the biggest technology show on the East Coast until last year's show was renamed Macworld CreativePro and downsized. That show saw approximately 14,000 attendees and 130 exhibitors and, as we reported last year, was also a hit with those who actually came.
The difference between that show and this one, however, is the fact that Apple isn't at the Boston show. When IDG announced last year that it was moving the show back to Boston, Apple pulled out of the Boston show, leaving its future in doubt. With the company pulling 10,000 to the Boston show without Apple, by most measures it is a success.
Of course, the broader question is whether or not the show is a success for the platform as a whole. In my opinion, the platform benefits greatly from the PR that Macworld typically generates. Judging by the empty press room, there will be no such publicity this time; but, again, Apple isn't here, and that has as much to do with that as anything else.
That means the platform is the biggest loser from this nonsense between IDG and Apple, but the reality is that there is a very positive vibe on the show floor from both the exhibitors and the attendees. With IDG already plugging next year's show, it will be interesting to see how the focus of the Boston Expo develops over time. It will be even more interesting if Apple were to come back to the show in some future year. I shan't hold our breath waiting for that to happen, however.
Observer Comments
Tue Jul 13, 2004 3:21 pm Subject: Just returned to work from Boston Expo
IThe last Expo sho I was at was when it was last in Boston.
Now that it has returned I wanted to go back......
I should have stayed away just as apple had. It was terrible. I know that the vendors that did show up tried their best, but when I finished with every booth in less than 1 hour (yes just ONE HOUR!!! It took 1.5 days last time it was here). Now I'm not just talking about stopping to grab swag, but to actually find out what they are doing.
MacWorld this year is Terrible, and not nearly worth the $15 I spent to go to the Expo. Actually, Maybe I'll actually win something now that the turnout looked to be like it will turn out to be maybe 5000 total...
Bob
MacOSXAddict, but a depressed one for now...
Bob is right that you can do the whole floor in a very short period of time, though many will find it takes a more than an hour. Just in case it wasn't clear, the point of this story was that I was pleasantly surprised at how good the turnout is. That could well be because I feared a disaster, but under the circumstances, I am indeed impressed.
This will be the first (summer) MacWorld in almost 10 years that I couldn't get to, so, tho I'm disappointed, it doesn't seem like I missed anything special. The days of spending TWO whole days wandering around the show floor are all but over, I guess.
Half the fun of MacWorld was seeing the newest Apple wonders just hours after their unveiling. Without that excitement, where's the soul of the show? Apple can rationalize their business decisions all they want-- we KNOW trade shows booths are pricey-- but we don't have to LIKE it!!!
-Ken P
A lot of the attendance is likely local folk who've missed the show since it moved down to NYC. Now it's back in Boston, and they've come to visit an old friend in a new space.
-Ken P
PS: Hey, this is the 1-year anniversary of my pre-ordering Griffin's "RadioSHARK" USB FM radio at the 2003 NYC MacWorld!!! Are they showing it at their booth, or is it still vaporware? Can anyone report on it? Thanks!
Tue Jul 13, 2004 6:45 pm Subject: Shark Still vapor ... [nm]
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