If you were concerned that your Macworld Expo conference pass won’t get you in to the keynote, don’t sweat it. There haven’t been any changes made to access for the event, according to Paul Kent, Vice President, IDG World Expo.
On Thursday IDG World Expo launched a newly redesigned Web site for Macworld Conference & Expo, and opened up registration for the event, which happens from January 5 – 9, 2009 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, Calif. The redesigned Web site features conference track information, details about the event and the ability to register.
Macworld Expo’s biggest highlight is Apple CEO Steve Jobs’ keynote address to attendees, which usually takes place on Tuesday morning of the show. The hall is typically filled with press, Apple VIPs and as many of the show’s conference badge holders as can fit.
This year, some eagle-eyed early registrants were concerned about what seemed to be a change in the seating policy for the keynote. Only the “Platinum Pass” registration package information noted that keynote seating would be available. Some Web site visitors took this to mean that only people who ponied up the $1,695 for the Platinum Pass would be let in.
Kent confirmed to Macworld that was just a Web page glitch which has since been rectified.
The site has since been updated to show that anyone who registers for a pass that includes conference access will be able to attend the keynote. Though, as with last year, only Platinum Pass holders receive priority seating for the keynote (based on availability).
In addition to Platinum Pass holders, attendees who purchase passes for the MacIT Conference, PowerTools Conference, Hands-On MacLabs, Market Symposium, Creative Safari or Users Conference will be eligible for keynote seating, based on availability.
Demand for keynote seating always outstrips the availability of seats, so IDG World Expo will have an overflow seating area for those attendees who can’t be seated in the keynote hall, where they’ll be able to watch the keynote on video screens live, as it happens.