#WOC NY cancelled
53 messages in this thread
I have been asked to post this message online. This is the only official press
release that will be posted.
"The New York World of Commodore show, originally scheduled for April 8-10,
1994, has been cancelled. Checks received for pre-registration will not be
cashed. At this time there is no further information regarding an East Coast
show. If you have questions regarding Commodore's marketing plans, please
contact them directly."
Please don't call SL or email me concerning this. I don't have anything to do
with the show or Commodore other than we were planning on attending. I was just
asked to post this online.
Anybody want to buy 4 non-refundable tickets from St Louis to NY for April 7th?
😉
Michael
ARRGH!
The one thing I look forward to every year, and they take it away. 🙁
Don't feel bad – I doubt there will be a West Coast show either. Its even
possible that by the time that normally happens, there may be no CBM or
Amiga anymore anyway.
wmc – via Autopilot!
Utilities Unlimited, in conjunction with CEI, GVP, Expert Services, Centaur,
and pile of other developers is attempting to host the New York show ourselves.
Now the rediculous part…
It appears that the lovely lady that puts on the shows was some how 'involved'
with one of the Commodore bigshots.. when things went to pieces, so did our
show(s). This is completely rediculous! We make over $50,000 each show we
attend, and I would really hate to lose that kind of money, not to mention how
much fun it is to be around other Amiga developers.
So, everyone cross your fingers that we can get the dates for the building and
continue as planned.
Jim Drew, CEO – Utilities Unlimited Intl., Inc.
Jim,
> So, everyone cross your fingers that we can get the dates for the
building and continue as planned.
Good luck in pulling it off. If you can do it, I'll be there. I haven't
missed one NY show yet. Is NewTek going to be involved?
Dom Fontana
–> Sent from NY via AP <–
Jim,
Good luck… and thanks for stepping up to tak a leadership role!
Wow. And THANKS for your efforts. I sure hope they work.
Good luck!
Paul
Holy Jumpin sassafrass!! Man, that proves CBM management is truly nuts –
they don't know wen to … oh, never mind – its politically incorrect
anyway. :^\
wmc – via Autopilot!
Dear! Ain't it already difficult enough for C=, 3rd party developers? What
we need from C= are marketing battle plans, not soap operas! 🙁
I sincerely hope you'll overcome the loss of money! We're looking forward
for your products, Jim…
Fred.
Frederic Botton from Paris, France
fbotton@cix.compulink.co.uk
I don't buy that story. I think it was just that CBM wants out of
the retail market, or the promoter has had such lousy response to
pre conference reservations that they decided not to loose money
holding the show. And the reason the probably didn't get
reservations is that savy New Yorkers probably feel that CBM is a
gonner as far as desktop computing/video is concerned.
Wrong, pre-show reservations were higher than last year.
Michael @ Soft-Logik Publishing Corp.
>>Wrong, pre-show reservations were higher than last year.
What about the hall rental? Was there some situation where the
profits were just not going to be there?
It's hard for me to swallow the "War of the Roses" rational for the
cancellation. I think from either side, the person who made the
decision on that criteria would not be working for their respective
firms much longer.
I did confirm the story about the romance breakup of a Commodore
bigshot (for the time, his name will remain annoymous.. let's just
call him 'moron') and Karen Jewell, the lady who runs/owns the trade
show company that puts on the Commodore shows. I am trying to get
the building dates (same dates)… can you even believe this
stuff???!
Hmmm.. I wonder why _his_ name is anonymous and her name is
printed<g>.
Probably he's higher up on the ladder… 🙂
Discrimination, pure and simple!
Trent Hawkins,
I printed Karen's name because I happen to know her and LIKE her. I just wanted
to make it very clear that she herself had nothing to do with CBM pulling out
of shows she was running. She did not tell them to 'go away'.
Do not get me wrong. I was not trying to imply any impropiety, just
thought it was unfair that her name would be printed, and the man's
was not..
Great move Jim! I was looking forward to meeting you. BTW don't forget to
contact Soft Logik. They've already bought those airline tickets you know
;).
Now if only Utilities Unlimited, in conjunction with CEI, GVP, Expert
Services, Centaur, and pile of other developers could take over C=, we
could all breath a little easier! 🙁
…AutoPilot Engaged…
-Paul-
I wish you the best in pulling off, Jim!
Robb
Robert,
> I wish you the best in pulling off, Jim!
Isn't the "pulling off" reference a bit risque for this Forum? Oh, you
probably meant, "pulling it off". 😎
Dom Fontana
–> Sent from NY via AP <–
Who exactly asked you to carry out this horrible task?
I've been looking forward to that for, well, for a long time. Damn it all
to hell. I would have gone to Toronto if I'd known about this.
When and where is the next one, do you know?
Paul
Mike,
> The New York World of Commodore show, originally scheduled for April
8-10, 1994, has been cancelled.
Uh-oh! That's bad news. I've attended every NY show in the past. Not
only was I looking forward to this year's show, but its cancellation looks
like a bad sign of things to come.
Dom Fontana
–> Sent from NY via AP <–
Well this doesn't look good at all 8^( Although I've never had the
opprotunity to make the WOC show in New York, cancelling it this late is
going to make some people very unhappy, and it's one more stake in the
heart of the Amiga. If things get any more depressing, we might have to
start up counseling groups 8^)
// John – (Flying via AutoPilot)
\X/ Mercury@ins.infonet.net
re: WOC NY Cancelled
Regardless of what has been posted online here and on GEnie by various people,
the show was not cancelled due to lack of developer participation or due to
problems with WOC management. Commodore could not attend. Without Commodore's
participation and without loaner machines for developers attending, it cannot
be considered a major show, attendance would suffer, developers would not
attend in the same numbers, etc.
As I said before, contact Commodore marketing for more information.
Michael @ Soft-Logik Publishing Corp.
"Regardless of what has been posted online here and on GEnie by various
people, the show was not cancelled due to lack of developer participation
or due to problems with WOC management. Commodore could not attend.
Without Commodore's participation and without loaner machines for
developers attending, it cannot be considered a major show, attendance
would suffer, developers would not attend in the same numbers, etc.
As I said before, contact Commodore marketing for more information."
This is indeed unfortunate, especially the fact that CBM is the cause of
the show's cancellation after all. I tell you it's a death wish, they want
to kill the Amiga any way they can, and so far, they are doing a damn good
job of it. I guess this will be another question for Mark to ask that guy
in CBM marketing, why they cancelled from participation in one of the most
important Amiga shows this year?
// John – (Flying via AutoPilot)
\X/ Mercury@ins.infonet.net
I think it rather obvious.
1. The expense.
2. The lack of personnel to attend the shows. In the past
represenatives from third party developers and distributors manned
the booths.
3. I think they have given up on the US market for consumer based Amigas.
Those are my opinions however.
I can't understand why C= would not want to support WOC. Even if the
show isn't a money maker for C= (i.e., the number of Amigas sold at
the show don't justify the expense) it shows such a lack of support
for users and much more importantly, developers. This kind of thing
will push developers away from the Amiga, for sure. Do you think
Apple would stop doing Mac World? I doubt it – they know it's too
important for marketing and image reasons, not immediate revenue
potential.
Very sad situation.
Re: "I think they have given up on the US market for consumer based
Amigas." – So that leaves only the 4000. I just did the math on my
guesses at sales levels and it comes out to a tiny annual revenue
figure. With the split up of NewTek I just read about, I hope even
that revenue continues.
> With the split up of NewTek I just read about
WHAT?!?!?! What on earth are you talking about?
Paul
> WHAT?!?!?! What on earth are you talking about?
I believe Paul is making reference to the fact that a number of
people have left NewTek to start their own venture. From what I have
read, it was an amicable leave. That's all I know. Bet someone here
can tell you a lot more.
You might want to read the NewTek section in the Amiga Vendor forum
for more info. Apparently Paul Montgomery (who shared the main
spotlight with Tim Jenison) left recently with a bunch of others.
Paul,
I spoke with John DiLullo (proper spelling–I asked) today. In fact, he
called me and I asked about the World of Commodore show.
He said:
1. Lack of Resources
2. Interferes with launch of CD32 work that is going on.
3. He didn't want to show the 'same things' as they had shown a year ago.
4. They may try to put together another show for later in year.
Remember now, I am not defending their position, just reporting it.
The reason Mr. DiLullo called me was to ask for the list of questions from
the forum. It seems that this stuff has generated a lot of personal
interest from Medhi Ali. Medhi has asked to see the questions this next
week. He asked me to go ahead and send what I have.
I told him that I would send him the questions on Monday and they could
choose which 20 questions they wished to answer.
I think one thing that has come of this that is rather humorous. I talked
to Rick Salmon (President of SCALA US) today and told him of the 20
questions thing. He had heard about it as it was discussed on Channel
4000. What he didn't know was that I had put it together. 🙂
I can't wait for some of my friends at the various companies that
usually call me with news flashes to call me and tell me about the
'20 Questions' thing. 🙂
So, this is the last call. We need some good, difficult, but not
abrasive questions to ask Commodore. They ARE LISTENING.
The word will go on high? Ali is listening!! Boy oh boy, I just cannot
wait to see what the answers will be<g>.
Trent
Flying near the Pole in the Great White North
Boo hiss. Don't let them choose the questions – they'll take the
easiest ones. How about just sending them 20 questions,and that's
it? There were a lot of good ones.
Jonathan,
I am also a little bit disappointed. That is stopping half-way.
NBD Bruno
I'm kinda new here, just upgraded from my A500 to an A4000/030 so
I've discovered Autopilot and can afford to take a little more time
to read what's going on.
With regard to the 20 questions I'd just like to know what the
current position is with CD add-ons for the A4000 and A1200. The last
I heard was that IF they ever happened, they would be more expensive
than the CD32 and that the AKIKO (sp ?) chip would be emulated in
software. I bought a big box Amiga so I didn't have to have lots of
'bits' around my desk, does C= expect me to buy a CD32 JUST to get a
CD ?
I have asked this question already. Right now Commodore intends to
build a CD32 device for the Amiga 1200, mostly for European
distribution. The A4000 CD32 is still up in the air I think.
Remember now, you can have CD ROM today if you wish it. All you need
to do is purchase a SCSI CD ROM, an interface card and either use the
PD offerings for a driver or purchase one from several commercial
sources. IBM doesn't provide CD ROM to their customers, nor did DTK
in my case. 🙂 I do wish Commodore would release such a device for
A4000/A1200 however.
Hi Mark;
Thanks for the reply.
"Right now Commodore intends to build a CD32 device for the Amiga
1200, mostly for European distribution. The A4000 CD32 is still up
in the air I think."
The last we heard was that C= were having problems with the
technology.
"Remember now, you can have CD ROM today if you wish it."
I know people who have gone that route, however the SCSI interface
(GVP) is 123 ukp without the CD. Then another 219.99 ukp for a
Toshiba XM4101 and then there's no chance AFAIK of using the FMV
unit. That's more than a CD 32 here. B{).
"I do wish Commodore would release such a device for A4000/A1200
however." Me too. <g>
I agree with Jonathan Hirshman on this issue. Sending them the entire
list of questions would not be in the best interest of the people who
have participated in your 20 questions. As Jonathan stated, they will
pick the easiest ones and give sugar coated answers which everyone
has heard before. Send them 20 of the best questions and that's it.
Don't let CBM pressure you into doing it their way. If CBM is really
interested in communicating with the Amiga users, they will
understand waiting an extra week or so.
The questions need to go on Monday. I have edited the list so that the
best questions in my opinion are there. For the most part I didn't see
any really bad questions or 'easy' ones. I added a few questions of my
own that will not be easy for them to answer either.
As things stand now, it is my guess that I will be able to get them to
do this again. It looks like I am going to have continued access to
John DiLullo.
Mark,
> 4. They may try to put together another show for later in year.
Do you know if that possible show will be in NY?
Dom Fontana
–> Sent from NY via AP <–
The city mentioned was Philadelphia.
>The city mentioned was Philadelphia.
Makes sense, it's the cheapest place for C= to hold a show since the
employees don't have to travel or spend a bundle on hotels.
> The city mentioned was Philadelphia.
Well, that's no good. 😎 That would mean that the NY show was
totally cancelled and not just delayed. If they don't hold a NY WOCA
show this year, I will consider it a major blow to the Amiga market.
Have they ever had a Philadelphia show before? If not, I and many
others would consider it an insult that they replaced the NY show
with a Philadelphia show.
Well, if it is in Philly this year that means I get to go for once!
Philly is 35 minutes from me, NYC 2-1/2 hours. I'll write and tell you
what I saw there, Dom. 🙂
Actually there have been several World of Commodore shows in
Philadelphia. I know I went to one in 1988. 🙂 I am not sure about
the insult part as I am insulted that they would ever do anything in
New York. 🙂
If they think they can just schedule at the last moment and everybody
will show up, they're awfully naive. Shows need to be scheduled a
year in advance so companies can plan on attending. I spend two weeks
preparing for a show, and I just can't drop what I'm doing to go
whenever they decide they can spare the change to have a show. We
even plan our development schedule around shows to some extent, so
losingthe show ruins our plans.
My personal opinion, I think this was a shortsighted decision. I don't
give a hoot about CD32 since it's useless for DTP and will never help
us. And just look how much money Atari is pouring back into ST
development now that they're making money off the Jaguar.
Michael,
Remember I am only the messenger. 🙂
I agree with you on this issue. I just don't think there is anything that
can be done about it at this late date.
Perhaps the Pasadena show will still go on. I always thought two shows a
year was a bit much anyway, but that is just me.
-mark=
Otto Pilot Engaged..
If Jim Drew's statements are correct, CBM's reasons from dropping out
of the show are not as obvious as you or I expect. I will agree with
you on your 3rd point, I also believe they have given up on the US
market.
Well if CEI attends won't they loan you machines? After all they are who C=
would have gotten the loaners in the first place since they are thier
distibutor.
Ben
CEI: I don't know how Commodore handles it. All the shows just blend
into one big dream. Some shows we get machines that have obviously
been to other shows. Sometimes we get new ones. I'm not sure how it
works since each country's shows are run differently. Commodore
Canada for example is great and loans you as many as you need at no
charge. Commodore US charges you $50 per unit and then doesn't give
you as many as you need. I think if they don't have enough to sell,
they don't have enough to loan.
It would be extremely difficult for someone to organize a show in
April now. It used to be bad with two companies doing North American
shows, and then AmiExpo dropped out and things were great. If there
was to be a show, I'd rather have it organized by the WOC team which
did a great job. It's not the WOC team that wanted to cancel this
show. Without Commodore it would just be a smaller regional show.