E for All, the videogame trade show intended as an open-to-the-public replacement for the defunct E3, has pushed the dates for its 2008 event back to October.
The show was originally slated to take place August 28-30, but concerns were raised about competition with the 2008 Penny Arcade Expo, which is scheduled for the same weekend. At its inaugural event in 2007, E for All drew 18,000 attendees, roughly half of the 37,000 people who attended the 2007 PAX. In an August 2007 interview, Mary Dolaher, CEO of event organizer IDG World Expo, indicated she was aware of the conflict and was taking steps to address the issue. “I’m already working with PAX. I have a voice mail from Robert right now that I have to set up a call with him next week and we’re going to try to work out what the best dates in the industry are,” she said. “Our intention is not to go head to head with anyone; it’s really to do what’s best for everyone and the gamers. We’ll work out some solution.”
According to a Game|Life report on Wired, however, IDG World Expo did not mention PAX 2008 when discussing reasons for the change. Instead, the company released a statement referencing the “great success” and “positive feedback from exhibitors and attendees” about the 2007 show, which was also held in October. The GreenXchange environmental event, another IDG World Expo show which will take place at the Los Angeles Convention Center from October 1-3, is also cited for “providing efficiencies for some attendees and exhibitors.”
The 2008 E for All will take place at the Los Angeles Convention Center. More information is available at www.eforallexpo.com.
