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January 16, 2007

events

How much do developers pay to be part of Macworld?

Posted Jan. 16, ’07, 12:21 PM PT by Pat Nakajima
Category | Apple » Events

BoothEver wonder what it takes for a developer to have an exhibit at Macworld? Then head on over to Rogue Amoeba’s blog for a recount of the costs they incurred to get to the show.

It should come as no surprise that floor space is pricey. The smallest booth available (10’ x 10’) will run you about $5000. You could go the kiosk route, like developers such as Fetch and Bare Bones for as little as $3000, but that’s not including rental of carpet, a table, chairs, or even a trash can. These things don’t come free.

Internet access at the Moscone Center costs $1095. Rogue Amoeba was able to get by without it, but an app that relies on the world wide web is forced to take that hit, unless they want to try to use cell phones as modems, which can be less than reliable.

After paying for travel, lodging and merchandising expenses, Rogue Amoeba’s Macworld exhibit cost them about $12,300. Their advice to developers is that unless annual revenue exceeds 10x the cost of Macworld, it’s probably not a good idea to demo your product there.


5 Comments

Inkling Author Profile Page said:

People don't come to Macworld to see San Francisco. They come for the event itself. Apple needs to "Think Different" and hold the event somewhere that's far less pricey. It could then pass along the savings to developers and those who attend.

To their credit, they did hold a quite good and free developers conference in Seattle, which I attended and enjoyed.

January 16, 2007 12:56 PM
Dave said:

Uh, Inkling, do you remember when there was a summer show in New York? Do you remember how upset Apple reps were when it moved to Boston. Apple doesn't host Macworld Expo!

January 16, 2007 10:20 PM
Erik said:

Hm, I was under the impression that Apple aren't the organisers of Macworld.

Wouldn't it be down to IDG to decide on the venue?

January 17, 2007 2:52 AM
James said:

Thats nice and all, but Apple is a Silicon Valley company, and I would hope it would be held there.

When I think Apple, I think Cupertino. Cupertino unfortunately doesn't have the best ammenities for a conference like this. The closest large city is San Jose, but San Francisco is so much nicer to visit and doesn't cost that much more.

I really don't think 3-5K is a large ammount of money for facilities. Additionally, you don't need to stay in San Francisco proper, and that will save some $.

January 17, 2007 3:32 AM
Peter Cohen said:

I don't see that happening any time soon. The show has to stay in the Bay Area, because that's where so many of the vendors (and Apple) are from. And San Jose is way too small for the show.

January 17, 2007 3:54 AM

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