Is LinuxWorld Dead?

I didn't go to SFO this year, but as usual, colleagues were eager to put a nail in the coffin.As the market matures, one has to ask, do we really need an industry love fest every year? Granted, there are IT professionals that do attend, but is the show still relevant?

The leading indicators of decline are:

- IDG has cut the spring show that was held in NY or Boston - IBM and HP, longtime benefactors didn't show up on the list of sponsors - Dell (the famous follower) was a Platinum sponsor

A few quotes from attendees: "it was baaaaad" "traffic was horrible" "rather beat" "boring" "A bright point was the .org pavillion"

What were your experiences? Would you recommend it next year to a colleague?