No Keynote From Jobs at MacWorld

Apple® today announced that this year is the last year the company will exhibit at Macworld Conference & Expo.  The company also broke the news that  Steve Jobs will not be presenting this year’s keynote.  Instead, Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, will deliver the opening keynote for this year’s Macworld Conference & Expo, and it will be Apple’s last keynote at the show. The keynote address will be held at Moscone West on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. Macworld will be held at San Francisco’s Moscone Center January 5-9, 2009.

The company issued the following statement:

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 increasing popularity of Apple’s Retail Stores, which more than 3.5 million people visit every week, and the Apple.com website enable Apple to directly reach more than a hundred million customers around the world in innovative new ways.

Apple has been steadily scaling back on trade shows in recent years, including NAB, Macworld New York, Macworld Tokyo and Apple Expo in Paris.

Apple’s shares dropped more than 4% to $91 in after-hours trading following the announcement.

The news triggered fresh rumors about Jobs’ health; he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2003. It also sparked concern over the fate of Macworld, a show that attracted about 50,000 attendees this year in January. Jobs used that show to debut the MacBook Air, touted to be the thinnest laptop computer at the time.

“Their pulling out of Macworld is not a surprise,” said Tim Bajarin, principal analyst at Creative Strategies in Campbell, Calif. “They’ve been talking about it for two years. Trade shows do not deliver the same return on investment that they did in the past. And Apple is finding that their stores are much better at driving sales than a once-a-year shot at Macworld.”

Bajarin said the move put Macworld in a precarious position. “It’s going to make it much more difficult for Macworld to thrive without Apple as the anchor exhibitor,” he said.

Source: Apple.com

Source: latimesblogs.latimes.com – Alex Pham

Photo: AP/ Paul Sakuma

Dubai to Host New Luxury Jewelry Trade Show

Dubai will host the launch of the “Salon Privé Haute Joaillerie Dubai,” from Oct. 18-22, 2009, at the five-star Madinat Jumeirah.

This three-day, invitation-only fine jewelry event will offer the world’s elite jewelers and luxury timepiece designers and manufacturers introductions to new retail business opportunities in the cash-rich and emerging international markets of India, China, Russia, Ukraine, Eastern Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, according to event organizers.

Salon Privé is a joint venture between two veteran luxury marketing organizations, The Nancy Robey Partnership, Inc., headquartered in New York City, and Turret Middle East, based in Abu Dhabi and a foundation partner of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company.

Exhibitors will be limited to 82 designers as well as select high-end non-jewelry sponsors, including other luxury brands, publications, and service organizations.  Robey said that half of all potential exhibitors have sent their letters-of-intent to participate.

“We are delighted to work with Nancy Robey on this exciting new trade initiative that will help jewelry brands capitalize on the continued growth in the area and ‘test the waters’ for future market entry,” said Richard Hease, chairman of Turret Middle East, which created more than 100 exhibitions and publications during his 30-year career in the media business, including some of the key events in Abu Dhabi.

Dubai was selected as the venue because it is at the crossroads of a growing market and provides easy access to jewelers looking to expand their businesses, Hease said.

Source: http://www.jckonline.com/article/CA6618883.html

BlogWorld Expo Acquires New Media Expo

BlogWorld Expo announced that it has acquired New Media Expo; the new combined entity will be called BlogWorld & New Media Expo. The next event, featuring a comprehensive conference and tradeshow, will take place in Las Vegas on October 15-17, 2009. The financial terms of the agreement were undisclosed.

“The lines between blogs, podcasts and videos are blurring in that content creators are using all of these tools to communicate and share information online – the message is more important than the medium,” said Tim Bourquin, founder of New Media Expo. “Given that people are mixing podcasts, video and blogs to deliver their message, it became obvious that our two events should come together and provide a single all-encompassing conference where attendees can learn all of the latest and best content creation techniques in one place.”

“As more content is being created and shared online, the market for an event like this is growing at a rapid pace,” said Rick Calvert, founder and CEO of BlogWorld Expo. “Bringing together the world’s largest podcasting event and the world’s largest blogging event creates a unique learning, networking and business environment for everyone involved in new media. Our attendees include individual and corporate content creators, new media as well as traditional media companies, entrepreneurs and enterprise-level marketing professionals.”

BlogWorld & New Media Expo 2009 will feature conference tracks on everything from creating better audio content to using social networking tools to grow your brand, blog audience and nurture the relationship between content creators and their audiences, as well as companies and their customers. As in previous years, after-hours networking receptions, special events and parties will combine to make it the gathering of the year for the new media industry.

Source: www.blogworldexpo.com

Photo: bp2.blogger.com

TS2, IAEE Partner in 2009

Intl. Assn. of Exhibitions and Events and Natl. Trade Productions announced a new, 10-year partnership at TS² in 2009 at Chicago’s McCormick Place.

The announcement marks the first time IAEE has had a mid-year meeting since 2003. The partnership is a collocation. “We are extremely excited about this partnership and this new arrangement,” said Bob Harar, president of Natl. Trade Productions.

Source: Tradeshow Week

Home Builders Move Back To Las Vegas For Industry’s Largest New-Product Showcase

Housing professionals from across the country and abroad will flock to Las Vegas on Jan. 20-23, 2009 for The International Builders’ Show® (IBS), the industry’s largest tradeshow and exhibition.

After four years in Orlando, Fla., the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) show will return to the Las Vegas Convention Center with the largest showcase of cutting-edge products and services geared to the building industry of any other place on earth.

The 2009 IBS will feature more than 1,700 exhibitors displaying the latest products and services available, representing more than 250 industry categories. Attendees will also have the opportunity to choose from 250 educational seminars on topics ranging from green building and design trends to construction codes and 50+ housing, as well as home tours and special events.

“In today’s challenging economy, housing professionals are hungry for the resources, information and contacts to help them weather the storm and position themselves for growth when the market turns,” said NAHB Chair Sandy Dunn, a home builder from Point Pleasant, W. Va. “The International Builders’ Show is the one-stop resource to help companies succeed in these uncertain times. With endless education opportunities, top-notch speakers, the latest in product innovations and unbeatable networking opportunities, this is the industry event of the year that nobody will want to miss.”

The show will kick off its Grand Opening Ceremonies with legendary football coach, Lou Holtz, as keynote speaker. Attendees will also hear from some of the nation’s top business leaders during a special daily featured speakers program held throughout the week.

For full press release, click here.

2009 International CES Launches “30 Days of Innovation”

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)^® today launched “30 Days of Innovation: The Countdown to CES,” a new program marking 30 days until the start of the 2009 International CES by highlighting each day one of the more than 300 innovative companies that are exhibiting for the first time this year. Produced by CEA, the International CES is the world’s largest tradeshow for consumer technology and returns to Las Vegas, January 8-11, 2009.

“CES is fueled by innovative companies with entrepreneurial drive, and CES helps them to make a name for themselves,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CEA. “In these economic times, technology companies understand that the International CES is the most cost-effective way to meet customers, buyers, media and investors in one place. The 2009 CES will feature more than 2,700 global exhibitors, exemplifying the spirit of entrepreneurship that enables our industry to grow and thrive, and we are thrilled to welcome them to the 2009 International CES.“

The “30 Days of Innovation” campaign profiles a new company each day from among more than 300 companies that will display their innovations for the first time at the 2009 CES. The daily profiles can be found at www.CESweb.org/30days .

The 2009 International CES will feature the next generation of consumer technology innovations across 1.7 million net square feet of space and 30 product categories including digital entertainment, gaming, in-vehicle technologies, digital imaging and more. For more information on the 2009 International CES, including exhibitors and registration information, visit www.CESweb.org , the interactive site for CES-related news and information.

Source: CE.org

Photo: http://plasmatvinfo.com/filestore/CES%20Show%20Welcome%20005.JPG

Embracing Social Media May Be the Solution for Tradeshow Industry Woes

Results from the 2008 Tradeshow Week Exhibition Management Survey, show the tradeshow industry is in the midst of a very challenging time. [TSW]

“I think (the economy) impacted (tradeshows) dramatically,” said Charles Olentine, executive vice president of the U.S. Poultry & Egg Assn.’s Intl. Poultry Expo. “I think we’re going to – at least for the near future – … see double-digit decline in attendance.”

As the average cost of exhibit space continued to rise this year, companies trimmed their budgets by limiting travel to shows or cutting out shows altogether, creating a grim picture for the tradeshow industry.

Responses from the survey suggest effectively marketing shows is the number one concern among exhibitors. Other pressing are: attendance, controlling exhibitors’ cost, and exhibitor satisfaction.

“I’m just finding … attendees get resentful with being barraged with information,” said Patrick Shield, president and owner of Shield Associates Ltd., show management for CMX-CIPHEX (Canadian Mechanicals Exposition) Natl. Trade Show & Learning Forum and Win-Door North America. “People want clean, concise, clear information about what the values are to the show; they don’t want the carnival-type ‘oh, if you respond, you can win a car or blender.’ … That just doesn’t work anymore.”

A combination of new media with the tried-and-true methods is becoming more popular among organizers. In fact, in 2008, 54 percent of respondents said they did utilize this combination to market to audiences, drive sales or build community in the industry, with 46 percent saying they didn’t. In 2007, those numbers were reversed, with only 46 percent employing new and old media.

Source: Tradeshow Week, Kerri Zerlin

Photo: FredKavazza.net

BDMetrics Helps Exhibitors Connect with Attendees Online

BDMetrics, Inc. has announced a new suite of event-centric online marketing solutions, which include online lead generation, search engine marketing, online display advertising, online video and mobile marketing. The company’s solutions are powered by its interactive tradeshow portals, which feature an online show guide, search engine and event-planning interface.  If you’re an exhibitor at International CES, Pack Expo, NAB Show, NACS Show,  or NBAA you’re in luck because BDMetrics powers portals for those shows!

“Exhibitors are attracted to the Pack Expo show because of the richness of our audience. With BDMetrics, our exhibitors can connect with this high-value audience in the months before and after the show,” said Chuck Yuska, President and CEO of Pack Expo/PMMI. “Plus, not only does BDMetrics help our exhibitors realize even better results, their robust reporting platform provides the numbers to validate the power of our show.”

“Tradeshows maintain their position atop B2B marketing plans because of their ability to aggregate an in-market audience, drive in-person meetings and generate new business,” said Mollie Spilman, CEO of BDMetrics. “By combining the power of online social networking with face-to-face events, BDMetrics helps exhibitors identify and reach this in-market audience before the event and connect with them at the show.”

To check out BDMetrics’ new and improved event-centric marketing solutions click here.

Source: BDMetrics.com

Belkin and Adobe Pull Out of Macworld Expo

Belkin announced this week, it will be pulling out of Macworld Expo echoing Adobe’s earlier announcement. [Macworld.com]

Belkin sites a need to redistribute funds and provide assistance to their retail customers that have been hard hit by the downturn in consumer spending.

Macworld Expo show organizers responded, promising plenty of exhibitors for attendees to check out.

“Macworld is going to have close to have 500 exhibitors this year and its going to be a great show,” said IDG World Expo Vice President and General Manager Paul Kent. “While we’re sorry Belkin isn’t going to participate, attendees will have close to 500 exhibitors they can visit and see great Mac products.”

Belkin will also reportedly not be exhibiting at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

Source: Macworld.com, Jim Dalrymple
Photo: Scriptingnew – Flickr.com

Trade Association Files Suit Over Rival Show

The Association of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey filed suit against the former manager of its annual trade show of creating a competing event. [The Record]

The lawsuit alleges that Rockland Exposition Inc., based in Middletown, N.Y., set up a “renegade” show after the association terminated the company because of declining attendance. The suit also accuses Rockland Exhibition of giving the impression that the new show is a continuation of the Neptune-based association’s show, which has been running for 30 years.

The rival show is scheduled to be held in Suffern, N.Y., – the same location used in the past to hold the association’s show and it’s even being held on the same three days in March 2009 that the association event is planned for the Meadowlands Exposition Center.

Rockland Exhibition is also accused of: improperly using the association’s “Northeast” trademark to promote the show, soliciting the exhibitors and attendees that participated in pas association events, and using deceptive marketing practices to cause confusion in the marketplace.

Source: The Record Online, Hugh R. Morley