Comeptition in Virtual Worlds Conferences

I received my usual weekly update from Chris Sherman and the Virtual Worlds Weekly newsletter (really good publication)and was surprised to see a section from him regarding an event I assumed was being produced by him in London, but is actually not. Competition in the virtual worlds conference space is heating up and getting fierce. Below is Chris's comments on the naming, and production of the London event.

Editors Note: We are not producing the Virtual Worlds Forum, clearing up any confusion

I cannot tell you how many people have asked me if we are producing upcoming show in London.  We are not.  The Virtual Worlds Forum is not produced by Virtual Worlds Management. The organizers of that event have repeatedly referred to it as the Virtual Worlds Conference, inviting confusion with our Virtual Worlds Conference and Expo which was just held in San Jose and our Virtual Worlds 2007 Conference in New York earlier this year. Given the confusion I decided to register to attend the event in London but Sasha Frieze, the event's organizer, emailed me, telling me I'm not allowed to attend because I am a competitor. Not cool since she attended our Virtual Worlds Conference in New York in March. She even asked for and received a discount for that show. I'm all for fair competition but Virtual Worlds Forum management has pushed this to the edge, deliberately creating confusion in the marketplace. I'm trying to be proactive with this post.  I hope this clears the issue. We are however hosting a London party:

Healthy competition, or riding the coat tails? I am not going to be able to attend the London event but certainly enjoyed the San Jose event and the New York event tremendously. Heres to advancing the Metaverse!

Comments

[John Wong]

Thank you so much for coming to the AIDS Research Alliance board meeting in Santa Barbara!! You're creative, energetic, and enthusiastic. You have great ideas, and I hope our organization can put them to use. I also hope we can invite you to come back next year to our retreat, or at some other point during the year.

P.S. I hope your cold didn't last too long!

John