No Macworld Tokyo in 2003

In another reshuffling of the Mac markets long-established trade-show calendar, IDG World Expo has pulled the plug on the 2003 edition of Macworld Expo/Tokyo.

“IDG World Expo Japan made the executive decision to cancel the Macworld Expo Tokyo 2003 because of not receiving applications from major exhibitors by the time of the deadline,” a spokeswoman for Boston-based IDG told eWEEK.

“However, IDG World Expo Japan is planning future, specialized conferences focused on specific topics, issues and categories for Mac users in 2003.” She declined to comment on whether the show would return in 2004 or to address reports that Apple was the primary exhibitor whose decision to sit out the show had precipitated IDG World Expo Japans decision.

MacUser UK first confirmed the news with IDG World Expo Japan in Tokyo, where a spokeswoman said the decision affected only the installment to be held in March; she said the company had not yet decided whether to bring the big Mac show back in 2004 and beyond.

Apple did not immediately return calls requesting comment on IDGs move.

The cancellation of the Tokyo show comes on the heels of a dispute between Apple Computer Inc. and IDG World Expo over the latters announcement that starting in July 2004, it will relocate the East Coast edition of Macworld Expo from New York to its Boston birthplace, where it was held from 1984 until 1998.

Apple responded to IDGs move with a public statement that it would “not be participating in Macworld Boston” and that it would “re-evaluate [its] participation in Macworld New York 2003.”

Apple and IDG subsequently said they had agreed to discuss Apples participation in future Macworld Expos.

IDG spokeswoman Beth Wickenhiser said this week that those negotiations are continuing. “Were still in discussions, first on New York, then off to Boston,” she said. “Were basically taking it one show at a time.”

The Cupertino, Calif., Mac maker has said it will participate in Januarys Macworld Expo/San Francisco, the other major domestic installment of the trade show. Upholding an eagerly awaited Expo tradition, Apple CEO Steve Jobs will put in a keynote appearance at the San Francisco show.

The cancellation of the Tokyo show eliminates the leading Mac event in Asia, where Jobs has put in an annual keynote appearance in recent years. Europes biggest Mac event—Septembers Apple Expo in Paris—is produced by Apple itself.