Advanstar Communications, the producers of the London Effects and Animation Festival and Digital Arts World, have release its official statement regarding the suspension and cancellation of the events respectively. Both events were scheduled to run simultaneously from October 28-30, 2003 at Earls Court London.
Karen Parks, event director, Advanstar Communications Europe, said, The market for animation and 3D solutions has undergone dramatic change over the last 10 years. Creative professionals and post-production houses are now able to buy technology that is as good and easily half the cost as it was last year. Manufacturers and suppliers have therefore seen their margins reduce dramatically and marketing budgets have declined in similar measure. Under these circumstances the need for a dedicated tradeshow disappears. In the interests of the market and our customers we have decided it would be inappropriate to spend any more time and effort on an event, which is unable to achieve a minimum amount of support from the market to make it worthwhile for exhibitors and for Advanstar. We know suspending LEAF will disappoint many people. It has run annually for ten years and is an industry fixture for creative individuals from both sides of the Atlantic. And London has the biggest and most talented pool of companies and individuals outside of Hollywood. The LEAF Award is known world wide for rewarding creative excellence and weve seen some great winners over the last 10 years. Sadly, although we have received a significant amount of support this year, LEAF does not have the critical mass needed to make the event commercially viable in its own right. We have therefore decided not to run it at the end of October, but to put the program on ice while we review our options.
Advanstar Communications is a worldwide business information company serving specialized markets with information resources and integrated marketing solutions. Advanstar has 92 business publications, 79 tradeshows and conferences and a wide range of direct marketing, database and reference products and services. For more information visit www.advanstar.com.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
