Oh My God, They Killed Macworld! You Bastards!
Apple CEO Steve Jobs’s 11th-hour withdrawal from Macworld 2009 has prompted all manner of concern for his health. But Jobs is fine, says Apple (AAPL). Which means it’s Macworld that’s suddenly fallen ill. How can it survive when its single largest exhibitor says the show simply doesn’t matter anymore?
“Apple is reaching more people in more ways than ever before, so like many companies, trade shows have become a very minor part of how Apple reaches its customers,” the company said in a statement Tuesday.
If the company from which Macworld takes its name no longer sees the show as a worthwhile investment, why should anyone?
Did Apple just kill Macworld?
Macworld General Manager Paul Kent says no. The show will go on without Apple. “While we are obviously disappointed by Apple’s decision not to participate in Macworld 2010, we are on track for a terrific show this year, with strong attendance and nearly 500 exhibitors showcasing their products at this January’s event. Macworld Conference & Expo has thrived for 25 years due to the strong support of tens of thousands of people in the Mac community worldwide who use Macworld as a way to find great products, partake in professional development training and cultivate their personal and professional networks. We are committed to serve their interests at the Moscone Center, January 4-8, 2010. Future events will continue to provide quality education, dynamic product viewing and will additionally focus on the amazing ways people are putting Apple products to work across all endeavors from desktops to iPhones to games to music. We look forward to many successful years of Macworld to come.”
That’s a wonderful sentiment. Could be seen as a little delusional, though, when the interests to which Kent refers are arguably seeing Apple and its longtime chieftain unveil the company’s newest products.
Apple’s presence and Jobs’s masterful keynotes defined Macworld. Without them the event will be more of a…MacMall–and you can already see that online….
