Comments on: Organizer cancels Comdex 2004

It had been one of the biggest events in the tech world. Can it return in 2005?

[Milly Staples]

Their real downfall??

It was when they divorced the AdultDex (adult videos) from Comdex - geeks and pr0n are a natural mix. When they moved the Adult Video convention to another date, I would bet that about half the folks decided to skip Comdex.

After all, a lot of Comdex dovetailed nicely with the adult entertainment industry - consumer electronics that would allow folks to make/view/edit adult videos was shown "next door" to the actual end product.

Of course, this is all hearsay as I would *never* attend such an event...

[connectr]

Besides AdultDex

You are completely accurate about COMDEX shooting themselves in the foot by distancing themselves from porn. The puritanical seem to have forgotten the biggest driver for VGA monitors was porn.

And then there was the money. The mis-management of COMDEX noted that they did not make the money they thought they should, so they increased to fees charged. Did anyone else ntice the vast number of hotel suites rented by companies because it was so much cheaper than COMDEX floor rent.

Follow the money .....

CEBIT America next?

Not sure where CEBIT got the figure 15,000 from -but just to clarify - it is TECHXNY that has 20,000+ quality visitors - CEBIT America bombed out with generous estimated audiences of circa 3000. They did not take over PC Expo, (although they tried and failed), New York Technology Week, (TECHXNY) is going stronger than ever and set to have 500+ companies again this year, (incl all the big names) and circa 30,000 quality attendees.....Las Vegas was always a destination event place and was never going to be forever. New York and the Tri-states business continues to thrive.

No, CeBITAmerica lives, and will continue!

James -- COMDEX postponing 2004 won't stop your event TECHXNY (PC Expo) from running, and it won't stop CeBIT America EnterpriseIT either. Not sure where your 15,000 number comes from, as we reported 10,063 (pre-audit) from the event. The real concern in the tech sector is not where have all the big trade shows gone, but rather how and what role should face-to-face events play, and how can they best serve in the marketing mix of technology companies. Events are coming together and there is consolidation among events JUST LIKE there is between technology companies. Barely a day goes by when this industry isn't hearing about one merger or another, and many offer stronger opportunities with fewer players (but not all, of course).

CeBIT America EnterpriseIT is all about technology for the enterprise. Focus the event on the right audience, focus it on compelling technologies, and the marketplace will respond. We are open to talking to any one about our 2004 program (recently concluded), including you. Call us: 212-465-0531 or check it out on the web at www.cebit-america.com.

[jamesievans]

Good bye COMDEX?

After attending 12 Fall Comdexs, I missed Comdex 2003 due to an injury. From what I heard, the 2003 show was very strange.

It sounds like the era of a show which tries to be all things to everyone in the tech field, is a thing of the past. There is too much information available over the internet, people have less time and money and they have specialized interests.

The narrow focus shows will continue on. CES, by focus on just consumer electronics is an example of this.

Comex = Roman Empire

Let's see now. When we review the rise and decline of the Roman Emp...er that is to say, the rise and fall of Comdex, some observations come to mind.

1. You'd see peeps who were definitely incompetent in their jobs continually get rehired after being let go, and paid higher salaries.
2. You'd see purchases of other smaller shows/companies being made, which would then in turn be torpedoed months later.
3. You'd see Fred blow the company out, K3M screw over all their creditors w. the bankruptcy, all of the management cronies whacked, then low and behold, new company, new ballgame? Unfortunately, same management, same sneaky practices.
4. Lies, lies, and more lies about attendance.
5. No focus from upper management about how to best serve attendees and exhibitors. It was all about the money, and no value whatsoever. Strategy seemed to be, rape the exhibitor for as much as you could get per squeet, jam as many attendees as you could in the halls, and hopefully the show would just "take care of itself".
6. Mistreatment of the hardworking, frontline staff that worked their tails off behind the scenes, for little pay, and little recognition for their efforts.
7. BPH rolling around in a new Benz & Escalade, laughing all the way to the bank.
8. Hey, at least Rich had some AWESOME weed!!! :p

And YES, I realize that Comdex was misspelled.

No SPG checkers in this piece of crap CNET webmailer.

Memories Indeed

I think that I did every fall version from about 1989 to 1998 and about 3-4 Spring versions in the early to mid 1990s.

Even in its heyday its return on investment was often questionable. I do recall a few deals that were closed with distribution and retailers, and some decent contacts made, but compared to the astronomical costs of space, lodging, per deims and other costs associated with getting a team on location, profitability was a rose colored dream.

For many companies it became more of a sales, marketing and IT reward program, a travel to sin city for a week of partying and other debauchery. Items from those days i am not so proud of include blowing 1000s of dollars in various "clubs" and late night liasons with more than one young and also married "marketing hottie". The idea of what goes on in vegas, stays in vegas may have not originated there, but it was alive and well.

Maturity brings perspective. Business may have matured too and outgrown this one.

Sheldon Adelson

While reading my Newsweek I see that Sheldon Adelson has his sites on Macao, a former Portugese colony in China which is set to become the new Eastern Las Vegas. Always ahead of the curve, I thought. Minutes later I hear COMDEX has been canceled. Although it was under his management during the years when exhibitors were becoming alienated with higher prices and when the show "floors" were virtually bursting at the seams, exhausting attendees, he knew when it was time to go. Practically broke when he started the company, he created and grew a concept that previously didn't exist. After deciding things had run their course, he sold the company for $2billion. It seems odd the present owners of the shows blame the demise of the brand on him. I believe he moved on and no one had the vision to fill his shoes.