As a pricing plan and strategy, this shows an amazing lack of market sense.

I'm not saying a price increase is out of the question. The value of the conference is definitely higher than the $1295 many CLP's have paid in the past. The increase in cost to a minimum of $1695 is an increase year over year of $400 -- roughly 30%. To make matters worse, if you fail to sign up before October 14th it goes to $1895 and by December 9th its $2095.

Given the number of attendees tends to be somewhere near 7,000 each year, that means IBM wants to raise something like $2,800,000.00 more money to put on the show. Is this an accurate reflection of the cost to put the show on?

I'm not against an increase. This, however, seems to be excessive.

"To assist as you plan, we want you to know that on October 14th, 2006, the registration fee will go up to $1895.00 USD per person and then on December 9th, it will go up to $2095.00 per person. So, act now - you have plenty of time to get your funding approved and get registered before October 14th." --- From an email I received signed 'The Lotusphere 2007 Team'

It's true that as a speaker I have in the past not had to pay admission for the conference -- though every other conference I speak for also pays airfare and hotel for the duration along with a small stipend. My concern is that this will change the make up of the attendees significantly. It also raises expectations pretty high for the amenities.