World Internet Forum cancelled

Update The World Internet Forum - an inaugural event bringing senior politicians and business leaders together from around the world to explore how the Net can be used to improve life for all of us - has been cancelled due lack of interest.

A statement issued last night from the event's organisers read: " It is with regret that the decision has been taken to cancel the proposed World Internet Forum, which was due to take place at the London Hilton Metropole from 13-15 November 2000. Despite having put in place an excellent conference programme with over one hundred first class speakers, the World Internet Forum has not received the expected level of support from delegates."

Robert Blaney, CEO of WIF added: "It would be both unfair and unsatisfactory to both sponsors and speakers to continue with an audience that is anything other than of the highest quality and sufficient numbers. In the absence of this audience we regretfully have no alternative but to cancel the Forum in London."

Tickets for event cost around £1,500 a throw - which may be why some people were put off. Either that, or they simply didn't believe the hype.

However, such events - even cancelled ones - don't come cheap. A spokesman for WIF would not comment on the financial future of the World Internet Forum Ltd - the company behind WIF.

However, in a statement Blaney said: "Shortly, we shall be considering the future of the Forum and it is probable from the sympathetic and positive reactions of speakers and sponsors that we shall be able to move forward to the next event."

Labour MP, Derek Wyatt, was one of the driving forces behind WIF. ®

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