eBay has announced it will no longer be hosting its annual networking event eBay Live!, and will instead focus on a series of local gatherings.
The company told sellers in a blog post Monday that it would be canceling its planned August 2010 event in Orlando, Florida. Its new plan is to host “more local events that don’t require costly travel” for attendees, said president of eBay Marketplaces Lorrie Norrington.
eBay had previously announced it was canceling its conference for 2009 that was scheduled to take place in Atlanta last month.
Lorrie Norrington
“eBay: On Location will kick off in Orlando in February, replacing the previously announced August date for eBay Live! Many sellers and buyers have told us that although eBay Live! is a terrific way to learn and network, they would enjoy more local events,” Norrington said in the post.
eBay Live! Was a three-day event that featured talks with eBay executives and forums on how to leverage eBay’s site. It first began in 2002 and at its peak attracted 15,000 attendees. More recently attendees had voiced their dissatisfaction with eBay over a series of polices changes the company had made to its pricing and listings.
The company also announced it will be celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2010.
“Finally, 2010 is another milestone year for eBay: our 15th anniversary. So what better way to celebrate than to throw a party! That’s exactly what we’ll do, wrapping up eBay: On Location in August with a 15th anniversary family-friendly event in San Jose, our hometown, to celebrate everything we’ve accomplished together,” Norrington said.
