Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!clyde.concordia.ca!uunet!zephyr.ens.tek.com!tektronix!sequent!upba!tssi!nolan
From: nolan@tssi.UUCP (Michael Nolan)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.misc
Subject: Re: Press policy at MacWorld Expo
Summary: My $.02
Keywords: press, freelancers, no coverage
Message-ID: <1715@tssi.UUCP>
Date: 8 Jul 90 05:04:14 GMT
References: <12233@asylum.SF.CA.US> <1990Jul4.060616.19026@mthvax.cs.miami.edu> <12242@asylum.SF.CA.US>
Distribution: na
Organization: Tailored Software Svcs, Lincoln Neb
Lines: 31


I recently covered two trade shows (USENIX and a small OSI show) as part of
an assignment for two publications I write for occasionally.  I DID get
press credentials at no charge.  Since I get, at best, $0.10 per word,
it would take a pretty damn long article to recoup the cost of USENIX,
and I also have never heard of a publisher paying the fee!  (They gripe
about mileage and tolls, I'd hate to imagine what they'd think about several
hundred dollars in admission fees.)

Yeah, sure, Unix Today can afford it, but there are a lot of publications out
there on small budgets (meaning they're cheap).  As to the super bowl analogy,
it doesn't hold water (few super bowls would), and I'll bet you Sports
Illustrated doesn't have to pay to get their writers (even the stringers)
and photographers admitted!

I agree that LEGITIMATE press credentials are a good idea, and that it's
probably been somewhat abused in the computer trade press.  I'd have no
problem submitting an assignment notice from my editors if that's what
MACEXPO wants.  I do about six trade shows a year, and manage to write
stories from about half of them.  I pay my own bills at the major trade
show for my hardware manufacturer's user groups, so I'm NOT freeloading.

Nothing will kill off a continuing trade show like bad publicity, and if
MACEXPO is being extremely firm about their press credentials, that's 
probably what they'll get!  
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mike Nolan                                       "I don't know what apathy is,
Tailored Software Services, Inc.                  and I don't want to find out!"
Lincoln, Nebraska (402) 423-1490                
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