IDG Hires New VP for Macworld
By Margo McCall -- Tradeshow Week, 3/14/2005
IDG World Expo has hired a new group vice president in hopes of reinvigorating the 20-year-old Macworld Conference & Expo brand.
Richard Feldman, a veteran of the event marketing departments at Intel, Macromedia, Saba Software and Mentor Graphics, has experienced the show as an exhibitor. "I really liked the event and the community," said Feldman, adding he's excited about the chance "to control the future vision of the show."
IDG produces two Macworld events per year. Apple rents a 20,000 square foot booth and supplies a keynote by CEO Steve Jobs at the larger of the two, the West Coast event held at San Francisco's Moscone Center each January. But Apple in 2003 withdrew its support from the East Coast Macworld, which is now held at the recently opened Boston Convention & Exhibition Center in July.
Apple's participation in Macworld is "a topic for continued discussion," said Feldman. "We can't say whether they'll be at any show in the future."
In the meantime, he is studying ways to improve the show, including expanding the exhibitor base, adding new locations and broadening its reach from creative professionals to consumers.
In January, IDG announced the launch of Macworld on Tour in Kissimmee, Fla., March 9–10, but then opted to cancel it due to lack of attendee interest. The conference program is being retooled with assistance from Macworld magazine. Feldman said the Macworld on Tour concept could resurface again in cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles or New York, all homes to large numbers of creative professionals.
Apple's success with its iPod, mini and other products helped build a buzz at the Jan. 10–14 San Francisco show, which featured 280 exhibitors, 20 more than last year. "They're a very hot company right now. They're just going gangbusters," said IDG President David Korse.
Feldman replaces Group Vice President Jennifer LaFond, who has left the company. Besides Macworld, Feldman will oversee Bio-IT World Conference & Expo and Wireless Sensing Solutions.
Group Vice President Warwick Davies, who also used to oversee Macworld, is now responsible for LinuxWorld Conference & Expo and the OpenSource Business Conference.
