Remember COMDEX? Well, it's back in virtual form

Breaking news from the folks at Everything Channel.  They are teaming up with UBS to resurrect the the venerable COMDEX show in a virtual format.  You can read about the news here.  

The Comdex Nostalgia

In its heyday, Comdex was the place everyone in technology had to be.  At its height, it was attracting over 200,000 attendees and more than 2,300 vendors and service providers.  Many of my favorite career memories and friendships were born and nurtured over the many briefings, events, chili cook-offs, receptions, dinners and Spencer Katt and Shadow RAM parties I participated in or attended.  As a PR person, Comdex stirred up a wide variety of feelings -- excitement, anticipation, fear, loathing, anxiety, satisfaction and fun. 

But eventually, Comdex ran its course as the top dog in technology gatherings, a victim of a confluence of forces, including gut-wrenching economic cycles, technology advancements and competition.  In the end, it made less and less economic sense to spend that much money on an event of that scale.  

Virtual Chili Cookoff?

But now its coming back in virtual form.  I applaud EverythingChannel for taking this bold step to take the original premise of COMDEX and bring to us in a new way.  But like any big idea, this is not without its risks.  Will the technology providers and the community of VARs, SIs, and customers participate?  Smartly, Everything Channel is taking a long-term view in promoting the conference, giving themselves seven months to drum up awareness, excitement and participation.  I look forward to seeing how this unfolds.  Given my fondness for the old Comdex and my respect for the gang at EverythingChannel I hope it's a smashing success.   

The only question I have is what about all the parties?  How will they pull that off?