The following info is from a newsletter from Other World Computing.

Macworld 2010
Although Apple has pulled the plug, we're still hanging on. When IDG had Apple
as their 'Anchor Exhibitor' it's unfortunate they just let things go vs
proactively pursuing changes that they're now reactively working hard to make
happen if not already gotten done. Even in better times and before Apple jumped
ship, despite all the good reasons for being an exhibitor, there were a growing
list of reasons to just not be.

Now, IDG has cut the cost for the booth space itself and, of even greater impact
for many exhibitors, they're working on GES to reduce the various service costs.
From power to internet to the basic transport of exhibitor booth and merchandise
from the Dock to the booth space - GES is the only option and, in our case, GES
service expenses are far greater than the raw booth space itself. What's done is
done and IDG has only itself to blame, but hopefully changes will encourage a
broad support for other exhibitor and give reason for attendees to be there as
well.

One nice change for 2010 is that no special codes or invites are now needed to
get free entry to the exhibits. You can register online now to reserve your pass
for the 2010 show.

https://register.rcsreg.com/regos-1.0/macsf2010/ga/index2.html

This is a nice touch and pretty much required I think... and quite a turn around
from the pulling teeth it took just to get the passes we needed for 2009 event
customers. I've saved the very best, in my opinion, for last now too... This
week it was announced that show is going to run February 9th to the 13th, a
Tuesday through Saturday event. That is huge! Originally, this thing was planned
for January 4th through the 8th (Mon-Friday).... As much as we have enjoyed
Macworld, it's always been dreadful to go from Christmas to New Years to Expo
time. Actually have some time to breath before the expo - and, it eliminates the
conflict with CES as well. An important element of the Macworld show happens to
be media coverage. With the exception of Macworld 2008, the show has always had
less than it's fair share due to the CES overlap which has consistently resulted
in a large portion of the media moving on to Las Vegas the day after, if not
right after, the keynote expo opener.

I hope the Macworld 2010 is a winner and then 2011...12.. etc. You can do a lot
online and all - but nothing beats the interaction possible at a show that
brings so much talent, creativity, and ideas together as Macworld has
historically done. Despite itself, this is the show that's had the mix of Mac
Users, Developers, and Vendors alike that to me has always been a strong benefit
for the Mac community at large. It's a shame that it took the loss of Apple to
get IDG forced into fixing that which has been wrong, it'll be a greater shame
if this show fails - unless something better steps into its place. While there
is much more I can be specifically crititcal of IDG for, also have to recongnize
that they have been the one pulling the event together for all the years too.
There is a real challenge now with Apple out of there, but this show has always
been so much more than Apple alone.