Town Hall planned for Expo

Despite Apple's pullout of future Macworld Expo's and swirling rumors about update products, IDG Expo is hoping that the annual event will continue in some way and is looking to the community to help it continue and shape future events. Acknowledging that the even will look different in a post-Apple era, IDG is turning to the loyal Apple fan base for direction on the annual event and announced that this year's Expo will include a Town Hall Meeting that will focus on the future of the annual event. According to the press release, the event "will be open to all attendees interested in helping to shape Macworld in 2010 and beyond.

Hoping to continue to bring the Apple-oriented and Mac-focused events, IDG says that future Macworld events "will have a sharpened focus on the Mac community, with its passionate and creative user base and wide array of developers whose innovations shape and extend the platform." Apple's pullout, while defended by analysts, would radically change the face of the event and could mean drastically different landscape for Mac developers and the ecosystem of products--many of whom depend on the event as a means of marketing and product sales.

The Town Hall is scheduled for Wednesday, January 7, 2009, at 5PM PT in Moscone’s Gateway Ballroom (room 102) and IDG hopes that the meeting will serve as an exchange of ideas on potential new show attractions, content, and features, and will offer an opportunity for members of the Mac community to ask questions about next year’s event.

“While there is no question that Macworld is going to evolve and change in 2010, the fundamental importance of the event remains the same: the unique ability to put exciting new Apple-related products directly into the hands of users and to inspire those users to put their products to work in new and innovative ways,” said Paul Kent, vice president and general manager, Macworld Conference & Expo.

“Macworld will continue to foster the deep sense of community that has been at the heart of the show for the last 25 years. As part of this commitment to the community, we look forward to sharing our thoughts and ideas for future Macworld events, as well as hearing ideas and suggestions from the community.”

The 2010 event promises to offer new show features, programs and other activities that will continue to show attendees the most innovative uses of Mac products, IDG touted.

by MacNN Staff