That time of year is coming up again, as we approach Macworld Expo 2010 from February 9th through the 13th. And yes, while it’s sad that Apple won’t be appearing this year, you might also be surprised to hear who else isn’t showing up. Despite IDG mentioning HP, Microsoft, FastMac, Shure and Intuit had already signed up during their town hall meeting last January, the current exhibitor list they’ve posted says otherwise.

Let me start off by saying that the “Creative Safari” has absolutely nothing to do with the Safari browser. I think someone somewhere could have come up with a better name that would not be so confusing to some people. What it does have to do with is digital photography and videography.

The Mac Labs at the Macworld Expo is kind of an in-depth training class for just about everything Apple computer related. Mac Labs is an interesting part of the Macworld Expo. Mac Labs offer intimate, hands-on instruction for specific applications and tools. I have to say if I was going to get the opportunity to go to the Macworld Expo, this is the module in which I would be most interested.

Market Symposiums are full day sessions targeting specific verticals and/or job functions. All of the following classes are a full day long and are offered on January 9th.

It is no secret that Adobe will not exhibit at Macworld Expo at The Moscone Center in San Francisco next month. They and many others will either be absent altogether or simply put up a basic display this time around. Everyone knows the economy is hitting everyone hard, businesses included, so I do not think we will see a large showing of third party developers. It just too expensive for the small guy to be a part of the Expo. There are, however, about 500 companies that will make it this year. Attendance will be at least 40,000. That is big. Really big.

What I suggest is a completely different format; take the whole thing back to square one. I understand that the Macworld Expo is kind of a traditional Apple platform for certain things, but hear me out before you dismiss the idea. It can still be both and reach a lot more people much more quickly.

Why not offer a Pay-Per-View of the event?

Apple Expo ’08, the European equivalent to America’s Macworld Expo, has updated their site and now have dates and details for the event. It will take place from September 17th to September 20th in Paris, France. There are over 30 scheduled events to attend, only two of which will be covering the iPhone. The other more »