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That’s one way to say “cancelled.” Okay, I’m done.

Wednesday at 5:00, IDG held a town hall meeting at Macworld Conference and Expo to discuss the future of the annual event. Paul Kent started the townhall meeting by talking about what Macworld is. You already know it’s not like a typical trade show. Macworld is about users coming together. IDG has been doing Macworld for 25 years now. When the Mac was born, they had a Macworld. Up until now, they’ve endured. But what about the future? What does 2010+ hold in store?

Well let’s talk about what Macworld has to offer now. Even with the current economy, there are over 500 exhibitors. 90% of the products here aren’t available at any Apple Store location. Plus, you can learn new things, see new products and try out things you couldn’t try anywhere else.  Where else can you go to talk to the developer of an app face to face?  Or the maker of a product?  I’ve heard from exhibitors that it’s great for networking between companies.  Why travel all over the country, or even the world, during the year when everyone comes together for Macworld anyway?

IDG isn’t dumb; they know that if they can’t provide a good enough reason for exhibitors and visitors to come, then they won’t.  They’re starting with exhibitor preregistration for next year. HP, Microsoft (what!?), FastMac, Shure and Intuit are already among the 60 companies that have signed on the dotted line that they intend to exhibit next year. David Pogue intends to give the Anti-Keynote, and as far as I’m concerned, if David Pogue is involved, I’m interested.

Alex Lindsay stood up to give his opinion on the future of Macworld. He considers Macworld attendees to be the nucleus of the Mac community. Basically, he wants to make it easier for visitors to connect with each other. But so much more needs to be done.

Overall, IDG is taking ideas from everyone. They’re working on it, and they’re listening.  So what did visitors voice about what they want?

• An easy way to communicate ideas to IDG after today.
• Video previews for conferences before you buy access.
• A Mac users social network, and impromptu user meet ups.
• Bring back Macworld Boston, New York, Texas (more central and possibly cheaper) or other cities. How about more than one Macworld each year? Paul Kent took the feedback, and struggled with an answer, but then it came. They’re committed to MWSF ‘10, but after next year, IDG says, “When you want it, where you want it.”
• More Mac gaming!  There needs to be more games and Macs set up here on a network so attendees can frag each other while screaming “newb!” all day long.
• User group meetups.  They held the community together for a long time.  It needs to be more valuable for them to come.
• Bring in the best of the best in every area for training sessions.
• Schwag area.  An area for trading of schwag between visitors.  Why stop there?  How about you guys just give us tons of stuff for free?

After hearing all of this, and experiencing Macworld, I don’t think there’s anyone who’s been here who doesn’t want to come back.  I know I want to come back, but I’m afraid that if Apple isn’t here it will be quite different.  Only time will tell, but I’m not all that optimistic about the future of Macworld Expo, and it makes me sad.

IDG needs to do a lot of things to keep Macworld alive. A popular opinion in the Town Hall and amongst developers with whom we spoke is that Macworld Expo needs to bring in more gaming companies. Not only does Macworld need more games, but the Mac in general.  IDG needs to bring back the gaming area.  Make it LAN style and just let people play.  There also needs to be more computer areas in general where you can learn tips and tricks one on one, or even just play around.

Registration for next year starts now.  Exhibitors can register now with a 90 day window to decide if they are actually coming (expect somewhat fuzzy inflated numbers).  Exhibit Only passes will be free, so your trip to Macworld may be just a little cheaper.  And if you’re a local, close to free.  They’re going to talk to educators, gamers and everyone else.  They want everyone to come.

IDG also wants to hear your suggestions.  You can send those ideas to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

You can expect a lot more suggestions and commentary on this within the coming weeks at Appletell, and, indeed, the year to come.