Apple Macworld Snub a "negotiating tactic"

Nick dePlume writes "Apple Computer's decision to not endorse the move of the east coast Macworld Expo convention from New York to Boston is a "negotiating tactic," albeit a shockingly public one, reports Think Secret. Sources believe Apple had firmly endorsed the move, which was announced today."

Comments

Excuse to cut down to one MacWorld/year?

[dpbsmith]

The only possibility that makes sense to me is that Apple wants to cut back to one U.S. MacWorld per year--to cut costs; to reduce the product release straitjacketing forced by the desire to make trade show announcements; to ensure that there's plenty to announce and always a GOOD "one more thing," etc.

And they seized on this as an excuse.

Still seems mystifying and lame, though.

I bought my first Mac in February 1984 (OK, I was a late adopter) and have attended EVERY Boston MacWorld. Why does Steve want to break my heart?

It reminds me a little of 1939.

[torpor]

Not sure if its Czechoslovakia, or Poland, but somewhere in between.

Regardless, no doubt Apple need the break, with their losses this quarter. Yeah, Boston is cheaper, and purportedly Apple had agreed to it, so why're they getting fussed about NYC, which would be more expensive?

To negotiate a lower floor price in Boston? Well, good. Seems shrewdness on Apples part is apt, imnsho.

Of course, the *real* question that needs to be answered is which city (Boston or New York) has the best security ... trade shows represent all sorts of targets.

Re:Pure stupidity in my opinion.

[unDiWahn]

"After all, it is really apple's convention, its not a convention for apple-- the people who put on that show are profiting on apple's support, not the other way around."

Unfortunately, I think that is exactly the 'arrogant' attitude that is what holds apple back from being as successful as the IBM compatible PC industry.

Historically, they've always seem other people profiting off of 'their industy' as leeches, who owe their existance to apple. They crack down on diversity, especially when it's not apple authenticated, and while they seem to throw out technological innovation like no one knows, the fact that they keep it closed off from the rest of the world (in terms of use and development) kills them.

Apple _would_ owe its profit to the people at the show if they supported the _whole_ industry -- and then, they'd probably have a lot more profit.

Or, maybe not, but the mac industry as a whole would.

My first MacWorld experience

[amichalo]

I am a switcher as of 2001 and I lived in NYC when MacWorld was there. I tell you, it was pretty much like crack for Apple nerds.

Not only was Jobs there but virtually every hardware and software maker was represented. People were giving out free stuff (from throwaway brochures to full software packages) and there was generally lots of excitement.

I don't think those things will change by moving it back to Boston, but what could is the image of the show. No matter what anyone says, New York is the capital of commerece in the western world. All major US media is based there, even the Daily Show. Apple should WANT to be there, regardless of it being more expensive. Everything is more expensive there. It's New York.

Sadly, With IDG signing on for three years in NYC, Apple has but two options -
(1) Have their own AppleGalaxy in New York or
(2) Give in, prehaps with other consessions, and go to Bean Town

What does Apple have to gain from this?

[1019]

If this ThinkSecret source is correct, then Apple is just playing hardball for more money, or better footing?
They intentionally told IDG they were behind the move then suddenly pulled the carpet out from under them?
Sure, New York is where the "scene" is, but the extra money that it's going to cost to keep it there (if Apple truly wants it there..who knows now) could be used towards development or better Apple products.

Is there an eclipse going on somewhere in the universe that only effects Marketing/PR people? Apple and MS seem to have gone mad in such respects.

The Big Apple Show

[Zane Edwards]

6 months before any Apple keynote there are rampant rumors about new G6's, Mac's that make toast, or whatever, getting so many people excited that they will now be able to replace their old Quadra because the latest rumored model is fast enough.

So instead, Apple comes out with a really kick ass G4 and some cool app and people then whine and complain about how much Apple sucks. Apple sells maybe 20 new G4's.

Remember, the iPod was release with out a trade show. If fact, releasing products without any hyper fanfare of a Apple show seems to get people more excited and act more like consumers instead of critics.

So until the rumors die down, or until Apple becomes processor chip god, people are going to be disappointed with the keynotes and Apple.

Charlie Greco's Ego is to blame

[clmensch]

One thing that I remember from when we first heard talk of the move is that the head of IDG World Expo, Charlie Greco, said his goal was to bring MacWorld back to his hometown...as in he wants the "Local Man Makes Good" glory by bringing some $$$ to Beantown:

- MacWorld likely to return to Hub
- IDG World Expo's Charlie Greco Appointed to Massachusetts Lodging Association's Stamas Commission
- Shows wait for Hub move

These are just a few articles that mention Greco's hometown-boy status. Particularly interesting is his appointment to the Stamas Commission. That seems like a pretty obvious ploy to get in with the political/tourism wonks of the city...and is probably not something he could have done had he been considered an "outsider".

This whole thing sounds to me like he didn't ask for Apple's opinion on the matter, or ignored Apple if/when they told him they would prefer the show stay in NYC. Personally, I hope the jerk gets burned by his own egotistical needs, rather than doing what's truly best for the Macintosh community...keeping MacWorld in the the financial and media capital of the States for at least a few more years.