by Mike | Apr 11, 2020 | Macstock News
Making the Call… We’re Moving to 2021 2022!
*NEW* FEBRUARY 2022 UPDATE #2: Where we’re at with the next Macstock, what needs to happen before we can get together again, and a couple ideas I have for the Macstock community in 2021.Though I can’t confirm the dates quite yet, I’m now targeting July 2022. For details, check out my video here on the Macstock YouTube Channel.
ALL PREVIOUSLY PURCHASED TICKETS TO MACSTOCK 2020 WILL BE HONORED FOR THE NEXT IN-PERSON MACSTOCK CONFERENCE!
FEBRUARY 2021 UPDATE: Due to the ongoing global pandemic, Macstock has been officially postponed to a future date yet to be determined. Estimated future dates below have been modified to reflect this update.
ALL PREVIOUSLY PURCHASED TICKETS TO MACSTOCK 2020 WILL BE HONORED FOR THE NEXT IN-PERSON MACSTOCK CONFERENCE!
UPDATED: October 18, 2020 – Tentative Dates Temporarily Removed Until I Can Confirm Dates and Capacity Limits
This is a long one folks, but if you’ve been planning to coming to Macstock 2020, please read through to the end.
It seems so long ago now, but it’s only been a little over 4 weeks…TO THE DAY…since I launched the Early Bird Sale for Macstock 2020.
And it’s been just about 4 weeks since I posted the Macstock 2020 COVID-19 response page.
Since that time, I’ve received so many encouraging emails from folks who’ve registered for Macstock 2020 and told me how much they’re looking forward to a little bit of normalcy returning to our lives — and that Macstock 2020 was going to be their celebration of that return to that world.
It was that encouragement, plus the guidance of health officials locally, nationally, and internationally that have kept me cautiously optimistic throughout all this.
After all, it’s only been about 3 months since the start of 2020.
Which meant that, as of a week ago, there were still 4 months to go until Macstock weekend. Not even half-way to Macstock!
But with everything changing, quite literally, on a daily basis, it’s become increasingly harder to predict where things will be next week let alone July 25th.
So I made the determination about a week ago that I was going to set TWO Milestone Dates for Macstock 2020: April 25th and May 25th.
That’s 3 months and 2 months prior to Macstock weekend.
I figured one of three things would happen:
1) If things take a turn for the worse, then I will announce on April 25th that Macstock is postponed until next year.
2) If things look okay by April 25th, but aren’t markedly better by May 25th, then I’m postponing until next year.
3) If things ARE markedly better by May 25th, and I could assure a SAFE environment for Macstock’s attendees, then we might just be able to pull it off!
As the week wore on, it became increasingly obvious that none of those scenarios SHOULD play out. The decision needs to be made now.
So this is not the letter I planned to post today.
It’s the letter I have to post.
I can no longer simply look at the impact COVID-19 by itself will have on Macstock weekend, because even if the pandemic disappears tomorrow, next week, or next month, there are longer lasting side-effects on Macstock, it’s attendees, and our ability to come together for Macstock’s 6th year this July.
In the end, deciding to host Macstock in 2020 is about more than if the virus has run it’s course:
- It’s about personal safety for you and your families.
- It’s about financial stability for attendees, presenters and volunteers.
- And it’s about doing the right thing for those who’ve entrusted me to bring everyone together each year in a safe, warm, and welcoming environment.
I want to assure everyone that Macstock is very personal for me and my family.
We’re a household of two small businesses, and bringing everyone together at Macstock by creating a fun, educational, community-focused atmosphere is a big part of what I do with mine from January through August each year. But we’re small businesses none-the-less and, like so, so, so many of you, this pandemic is hitting us hard. So Janet and I understand all-too-well the economic impact COVID-19 has had on everyone the world over.
But, in addition to that, I’ve PROMISED all who’ve written to inquire about Macstock’s status that I will do right by you.
So that’s what I’m doing.
As of today, Macstock 2020 is officially postponed to July 2021 (DATES TBD).
Read on for more details…
Coming Back BIGGER and BETTER!
Here’s what I’m going to do for everyone who purchased a ticket for Macstock 2020 (and those who haven’t yet):
- I’m going to expand (the next) Macstock
2021 Weekend to THREE days so I can bring you even more of the amazing speakers who’ve submitted talks to me this year.
- Everyone who already purchased a ticket to Macstock 2020 will have their ticket automatically transferred to (the next) Macstock
2021 and get those 3 days of Macstock 2021 at no additional charge. There is nothing you need to do for this to happen. If you purchased a ticket to Macstock 2020, this will automagically become a (future) Macstock 2021 ticket unless I hear otherwise from you.
- To take it one step further, anyone who purchases a ticket to Macstock between now and July 26th, 2020 (the end of what would have been Macstock 2020 weekend) will attend (the next) Macstock
2021 at this year’s pricing!
- Yes, the cost of a Macstock ticket will go up next year to account for that extra day, but not until after July 26th, so if you haven’t decided to join us yet, this is your chance to save really big on Macstock
2021!
- Dates for (the next) Macstock
2021 will be finalized as soon as I can set them with the conference center, but I’m targeting Friday July 23rd – Sunday July 25th, 2021 (DATES TBD).
- Finally, Macstock 2020’s refund window will be extended until further notice to allow for cancellations if you decide next year’s finalized timing doesn’t work for you.
I Still Want to “See” You in 2020!
In addition to “plussing” Macstock 2021 for everyone, I’ve been playing with ideas to strengthen the Macstock community for those days and weeks we’re not all gathering in the halls of the Luecht Conference Center, and I have a few things in mind that I’ll be announcing in the coming weeks.
Specifically, if you’re all up for it, I’d really like to do something the weekend of July 25th and/or 26th. Perhaps a free LIVE event?
Details are still very much crammed in this empty cavern of a skull I affectionately call my “head”, but as soon as I have some plans in place that I can share, THIS will be the best place to hear about them.
(I’m also open to suggestions!)
So that’s it for this time.
I can’t tell you how much it genuinely pains me to write this letter.
But it’s the right thing to do. And doing the right thing is the promise I’ve made to all of you.
PLEASE don’t hesitate to reach out to me with your questions, comments, concerns, ideas, or…just to say “Hi”. I will miss seeing you all. But even if we can’t see each other in person this year, we have next year to look forward to! It’s going to be a great one!
Stay safe. Be well. And thank you very much for your patience and understanding at this time.
See you at (the next) Macstock 2021!
Mike
by Mike | Mar 14, 2020 | Macstock News
Current Status as of April 11, 2020: Macstock 2020 will be postponed to July 2021.
IMPORTANT UPDATE: Macstock 2020 is officially postponed to July 2021. For more details, please see the following post:
https://macstockconferenceandexpo.com/macstock-news/important-update-macstock-2020-postponement/
April 5th Update: Milestone dates added.
There are two new “milestone” dates for Macstock 2020: April 25th and May 25th. These are new Major Go / No Go Dates for Macstock and represent 3 months and 2 months prior to Macstock 2020 Weekend.
With the rapid spread of COVID-19 abroad and here in the United States, I’ve been monitoring the situation very closely the past few weeks, watching what other conferences & events scheduled for this summer are doing, speaking with local health officials here in my area, as well as taking counsel from organizations such as the World Health Organization and the CDC.
At the moment, Macstock 2020 will be held as scheduled.
As news of the pandemic continues to change (seemingly on an hourly basis), so might the plans for Macstock 2020. Rest assured, I will continue to keep a very close eye on the situation, and I will act responsibly for the health and safety of everyone within the Macstock community.
This page will be updated as the situation evolves. Thank you all very much for your patience and understanding.
Mike
UPDATED 03/22/2020: added link to Resources for Large Community Events & Mass Gatherings
UPDATED 03/15/2020: added latest mass gathering guidance from the CDC
UPDATED 03/15/2020: added statement from Illinois Department of Public Health
Actions I’m Taking for Macstock 2020 in Response to COVID-19
- Making a “Go/No Go” decision each week as we get closer to Macstock 2020.
- Cap Macstock ticket sales at 60% capacity of the conference center, so Macstock attendees can spread out comfortably.
- “Permanent” Early Bird pricing so nobody is pressured into deciding to attend before they’re ready to.
- Limit number of attendees who can enter the breakout room to 50% capacity for deeper dive sessions.
- Working with our venue to reinforce best practice health and food handling protocols including frequent and proper hand washing.
- Establishing proper hygiene protocols for all volunteers and attendees.
- Providing all Macstock volunteers educational material on recognizing symptoms and preventive measures for COVID-19.
- Asking attendees and volunteers to stay home if they are sick, showing symptoms of possible illness, or have potentially been exposed to the virus within 2 weeks (14 days) of Macstock. For those who are/may be affected, providing options for transferring your ticket to Macstock 2021, donating/transferring your ticket to another attendee, or obtaining a refund.
- Working with McHenry County Department of Health, WHO, and CDC for guidance as we move closer to Macstock weekend.
- Developing a postponement plan for Macstock 2020.
UPDATES
03/22/2020: ADDED Resources for Large Community Events & Mass Gatherings
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/large-events/index.html
03/15/2020: Statement from Centers for Disease Control on Mass Gatherings
The CDC issued the following directive on Sunday, March 15th:
Guidance as of 3/15/2020
…in accordance with its guidance for large events and mass gatherings, recommends that for the next 8 weeks, organizers (whether groups or individuals) cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States.
With two weeks left to go in March, all of April, and then half of May to hit the CDC’s 8 week mark, it looks like we’ll have yet another 8-10 weeks after this recommended cancellation period until Macstock 2020 Weekend. I’m hopeful, of course, the COVID-19 outbreak will weaken by the end of this 8 week recommendation period and we can run as planned.
If it becomes necessary to do so, I don’t want to make the postponement/cancellation of Macstock a last-minute scramble for anyone, so I will be watching developments and make a decision that will have the least impact on the Macstock Community.
03/15/2020: Statement from Illinois Department of Public Health
I received the following statement via email in response to my direct question regarding Macstock 2020:
In Illinois, all large-scale events exceeding 1,000 individuals must be cancelled until April 11. We are encouraging that community events of 250 or more be cancelled or postponed until May 1, including personal and social events. Citizens should consider this in their personal lives and consider refraining from attending events of this size if they are not cancelled or postponed. https://www2.illinois.gov/Pages/news-item.aspx?ReleaseID=21245
I consider this is a fluid statement and subject to change. Again, I will continue to seek guidance as we get closer to Macstock 2020.
Here are a Few Resources and Metrics I’ve Been Using
- Updates from the World Health Organization (WHO) and CDC
- Organizations and Events within the US similar to Macstock (WordCamps, Local User Groups) that have canceled gatherings and events scheduled for late June and beyond.
- Local community recommendations, Macstock’s partners (conference center, hotels, and caterers), and, of course, the Macstock Community’s thoughts and sentiment.
Helpful Links and Resources
- Basic Protective Measures against the Coronavirus (via World Health Organization)
- How to Protect Yourself (via the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Statement from Hilton on the Coronavirus (Hilton is the parent company of Macstock’s preferred partner hotel, the Hampton Inn of McHenry)
- Statement/Travel Advisory from IHG on the Coronavirus (IHG is the parent company of Holiday Inn, a partner hotel of Macstock 2020)
- Master List Of All Major International Airline Coronavirus Change And Cancellation Policies (continually updated – via Forbes)
- US airlines are waiving fees and canceling flights as coronavirus spreads (continually updated – via Vox)
by Mike | Mar 12, 2020 | Macstock News
Are you still feeling the effects of the time change this past weekend? I sure am. But with Macstock’s 6th Anniversary coming up this summer, I’m thinking positively: I didn’t lose an hour early Sunday morning. With Leap Day just the week before, I gained 23!
So what did I do with those extra 23 hours? Well, I worked hard to finish up the Macstock 2020 website so I could finally announce that Macstock’s Early Bird Sale is officially underway!
And this is shaping up to be another great year for Macstock! Not only will this summer bring you our sixth year of talks by some incredibly talented presenters, but Macstock 2020 also marks six years of meeting up with old friends and making new ones. Six years of new experiences like the MyMac Game Show and the Macstock Short Film Fest. And six years of celebrating the Apple community that brings us all to Macstock each summer!
And if I may share a little teaser: there’s someone working hard on another celebration that will take place at Macstock this summer, but I’ve been sworn to secrecy on this one…at least for now. But it’s been 15 years in the making and I’m excited to bring it to Macstock’s stage on Saturday the 25th.
If you would like to join in the fun and community spirit of Macstock, then pick up your Macstock 2020 2-Day Weekend Pass during our Early Bird Sale for $70 off the regular price! But our Early Bird sale only lasts so long. If you’re planning to join us July 25 & 26, be sure to get your tickets and book your room today!
by Mike | Aug 18, 2019 | Macstock News
It’s hard to believe three weeks have passed since Macstock 2019! In the time since, I’ve been re-living the weekend again and again thanks to the wonderfully generous notes, emails, and tweets I’ve received from everyone who took part in Macstock’s 5th Anniversary Year!
Not to mention the amazing coverage Macstock’s received in podcasts, blogs, and social media in the days since we brought this year’s conference to a close. And, by the way, how great was it to close out this year’s Macstock with the touching tribute to Macstock Weekend put together on the fly — and in complete secrecy — by our good friend Kelly Guimont and screened to book-end the compilation of short films made by Macstock’s attendees for the inaugural Macstock Short Film Festival hosted by Wally Cherwinski.
And there will be more Macstock 2019 awesomeness to come in the weeks ahead! Because if you weren’t able to make it to Macstock in person this year, the special episode of Mac Power Users recorded live at Macstock is slated to hit the MPU feed some time in September as MPU #500! (Shh! We were all sworn to secrecy and unable to divulge the contents of the show — you’ll just need to subscribe to hear it!)
So now it’s time to re-live it all yourself! I’m already making progress posting this year’s talks to the Macstock 2019 Digital Pass page, with more presentations being released every few days, and I’m including links below to some of the post-Macstock coverage as well.
In the mean time, it may be 3 weeks since Macstock 2019 came to a close, but that means it’s only 49 weeks until Macstock 2020 which is coming our way July 25 & 26, 2020!
My how time flies! 🙂
Mike
by Mike | Aug 18, 2019 | Macstock News
If you purchased a 2-Day Weekend Pass to Macstock 2019 or the 2019 Digital Pass you have access to this year’s Digital Pass!
To access it, just log in to the Macstock Digital Pass page using the same account information used to purchase your ticket!
Once logged in, you’ll have access to all the videos published so far.
New Format for 2019!
When you log in to the 2019 Digital Pass page, you’ll notice right away that I’ve re-organized the Digital Pass videos into playlists, one for each day, and in a larger format making it a bit easier to watch on a mobile device.
This new format is used on both the Macstock 2019 and 2018 Digital Pass pages and will improve page loading speed as well as make the videos more accessible on mobile devices without requiring a switch to full-screen viewing — though that’s still an option.
Navigating each day’s videos is pretty straight forward. Either click/tap the disclosure triangle to get a list of videos featured within that day’s playlist or click/tap the forward and back arrows to quickly skip to the next or previous video in the playlist!
FAQ: What if I Don’t Know My Account Info?
If you’ve forgotten your password, simply visit the “Digital Pass” page and click “Forgot Your Password?“, enter your email address (most likely the one this newsletter was sent to), and information for resetting your password will be sent to you!
But, I’m Still Having Trouble!
Things happen. Usernames and passwords get lost. Or maybe you have multiple email addresses and don’t know which one you used to create an account!
So, if you’re still having trouble logging in, resetting a password, or think I may have missed creating an account for you, Don’t Panic! Just drop me a line to let me know what’s going on and I’ll get you taken care of!
FAQ: Why All the “Extra Bits” in the Presentation Videos?
When we debuted the Digital Pass for Macstock 2018, I made a conscious decision to present the Digital Pass content as if it were “live streamed” to the viewer and I’m continuing that for Macstock 2019’s Digital Pass. This means that not only will you get the presentations, but you’ll get the conversation and things that happen (in front of the cameras) in-between those talks!
Now, of course I understand that not everyone wants to see the setup or pre-talk conversations, so I’m including a little “jump ahead” message approximately 20 seconds into most videos to let you know where you can skip ahead to if you’d like to bypass those extra bits.
FAQ: Are There More Videos Coming?
There sure are! As of this writing, I’ve published all the 20 minute sessions from Saturday (July 27) as well as the MyMac Game Show from Saturday afternoon.
Still coming are the main stage Deeper Dive sessions from Saturday and all of Sunday’s sessions. Finally, after all the Main Stage sessions are published, I’ll move on to the breakout room Deeper Dive sessions from both Saturday and Sunday!
It’s hard to believe three weeks have passed since Macstock 2019! In the time since, I’ve been re-living the weekend again and again thanks to the wonderfully generous notes, emails, and tweets I’ve received from everyone who took part in Macstock’s 5th Anniversary Year!
