Apple has continued to trim its trade show operations, and has pulled out of Macworld Tokyo 2003. MacUser UK is reporting that Appleis pullout resulted in Adobe, Macromedia, and Microsoft dropping out as well, which resulted in IDG World Expos pulling the plug on the entire event. Macworld Tokyo is held during the spring, and officially attracts some 180,000 visitors every year.
Apple first began to suggest cut backs in its trade show appearances when it was first announced that the East Coast Macworld would be moving back to Boston in 2004. At that time, Apple said it was pulling out of the Boston show, and was reevaluating its role in what would be the last show in New York, in 2003. Apple reportedly told the Dow Jones News Wire: "Since IDG is no longer investing in New York, we now need to reevaluate our participation in Macworld New York 2003. Apple will continue to participate in Macworld San Francisco in January,"
Itis not clear yet exactly why Apple is pulling out of Tokyo, though MacUser UK reported the following:
Sources familiar with the show said Apple had decided not to exhibit a number of months ago, even after repeated attempts by IDG to convince them to change their minds. After it was apparent Apple would not be the nucleus of a Tokyo show, Adobe, Macromedia and Microsoft also decided not to exhibit. It was only then, sources said, that the company decided the show would not bring in the expected revenue, additional exhibitors and attendance it needed to be profitable.
It appears a decision to cancel the show was made weeks ago, according to sources, and that IDG World Expois Tokyo operation never planned on making a public announcement. When asked about this, a spokeswoman said the company had no plans to make an official announcement of the cancellation and would not be posting a notice on the companyis Web site, but that they were responding to individual queries regarding Expo. At present, no link exists for the 2003 show on IDGis Japanese language Web site. On itis English language site, a mention of the 2003 show exists, but the link reverts to Web pages for the 2002 show.
Thereis more information in the full article at MacUser UK.