The last ISPCON had the feeling of, well, life-support. Alex Goldman has announced the expected, ISPCON is dead.
I have been going to the trade show since 1997 where 15,000 to 20,000 attendees marveled at this Internet thing. It was a good vibrant business function that was a critical part in launching the digital age. Life was good.
But things happen. The 2001 ISPCON trade show crumbled after the September 11, the World-Trade Tragedy. ISPCON opened on October 9th, just 28 days later; it was at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas. Attendance was about 500, probably 5,000 + short of expectations. The exhibit hall was in a 178,000 sq ft. state of the art convention center facility, ISPCON at best used 10,000 sq. It echoed.
Over the years ISPCON tried to bolt WISPs, ASPs, Hosting and Data Centers onto the brand. None really worked out. I don’t believe the name ISPCON helped either. Saddled with the term ISP it announced itself as old technology. Possibly this is a lesson in marketing.
The last ISPCON was in San Jose, November 2008. There were possibly 400 in attendance and about 100 paid attendees.
HostingCon is in Washington DC August 10-12, 2009
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