Macworld Expo moves to February

Why has the now Appleless tradeshow abandoned its traditional time slot? Are they trying to escape the shadow of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), which has an Apple-focused pavilion, or did they get a really good rate on the hall?

IDG World Expo has announced that Macworld Expo 2010 has been (re)scheduled to take place February 9 – 13, 2010, at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. The tradeshow’s traditional timeframe is the first full week of January, though CES runs at the same time and has said they are gunning for Macworld exhibitors with an Apple-focused pavilion.

Mary Dolaher, CEO of IDG World Expo says:

We firmly believe that these new dates will better meet the needs of everyone participating in Macworld, and are pleased to have been able this respond to this request from the community. The journey toward a new era for Macworld has begun and we are more excited about this ride than ever before.

According to Adam Engst, publisher of TidBITS:

Moving Macworld Expo from the awkward post-New Year dates makes tons of sense. Travel and lodging costs will likely be lower for developers and attendees alike, and developers won’t have to push as hard during the holiday season to finalize code and prepare booths.

So, will Macworld flourish in the dark, dark days of February? Engst does have a point about the likelihood of cheaper hotels, etc. Still, are there any good reasons to get up and go how many hundreds or thousands of miles to San Francisco, walk around in the rain and not see, or even have the chance to see Steve Jobs?

Call me skeptical…

• Whats next for MacWorld Expo?
• CES doubles size of planned 2010 Apple pavilion
• CES 2010 to feature ‘Apple-related area’
• ‘It’s a done deal:’ Apple ditching Macworld for CES in 2010
• MacWorld and CES to overlap in 2009