On Sat, 18 Aug 2001, Wayne M. Smith wrote:
> > It is with great disappointment that I must announce that
> VCF 5.0 has
> > been tentatively cancelled due to a lack of interest from
> participants.
> > Exhibitor and vendor sign-ups have been extremely low, and
> the
> > impression I get is that interest has waned this year.
> >
>
> Wow, that really sucks. Maybe its the mid-September date,
> which is earlier than prior years. It can be hard to get
> away during September as so many things seem to start then
> (school, sports teams, work). Moreover, the date is forcing
> your planning and organization into August which is a heavy
> vacation month, which may account for the meager response at
> this point.
>
> I think that, given time, "everyone" will eventually show
> up.
That is what I would have hoped, but unfortunately I just can't take that
gamble this year.
Note that I did say "tentatively", so it's not final yet. I'm still
trying to think of a creative way to keep it going this year, but it's the
finances that are at the heart of the matter.
The number of exhibitors is very low this year (only 8 signups so far) and
only a few vendors. This is not nearly enough to even begin justifying
the expense of the venue. I sent out an announcement to last year's
exhibitors and vendors a week ago, hoping that would result in an
increased sign-on, but it only garnered one additional exhibitor, and no
vendors.
Yesterday's message resulted in an increase in sign-ons for exhibitors,
but my vendors are still nowhere to be seen.
So here's the current plan: make the VCF a lecture only event this year,
and if I can figure out a way to cost effectively hold an exhibit, then
I'll do that as well.
I realize time is of importance here and I will hopefully have a clear
idea of what's going to happen in a day or two, so that what exhibitors
have signed up will still have time to make their plans.
Stay tuned...and if you want to help make VCF 5.0 happen:
Exhibitors:
http://www.vintage.org/2001/main/exhibit.php
Vendors:
http://www.vintage.org/2001/main/vendor.php
Or if you're just going to be an attendee, let it be known:
http://www.vintage.org/2001/main/survey.php
Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival
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International Man of Intrigue and Danger
http://www.vintage.org
Received on Sun Aug 19 2001 - 13:13:13 BST