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The increasingly unpopular notion of a spring CEDIA EXPO has finally bitten the dust. Originally scheduled to take place in Las Vegas, and moved to Dallas, the trade show will not take place at all.

"The feedback from our members has changed over the past couple of months, and they are no longer ready for a full-force tradeshow," CEDIA executive director Don Gilpin told TWICE. "Significant cost factors" were cited--apparently manufacturers and attendees have their hands full maintaining CES and the existing fall CEDIA EXPO. Instead, Gilpin said, CEDIA will "focus on education and expanding the exposure opportunities with architects, builders and interior designers at the third annual Electronic Lifestyles Forum."

Unmentioned were certain ominous economic factors. The price of oil--at $95 per barrel, and closing in fast on $100--will make it more expensive to move tens of thousands of attendees and tons of freight to mega trade shows. And the mortgage mess does not bode well for the custom install industry.