Future Economy Barcelona 2012: 'As usual you are totally misinformed'

My post yesterday on the slashing of ticket prices for Future Economy Barcelona produced a swift tweet response from The Wine Academy – the Siamese twin of Chrand (aka Charade) Management. 'As usual you are totally misinformed. The difference between a serious journalist and a blogger.'

Mid-July's prices 'early bird': VIP 950€, Gold 750€, Silver 550€ ex vat

Revised prices end of July: Gold: 290€, VIP: 690€ ex VAT

Since all the information in the post came from Chrand Management and the Future Economy Barcelona 2012 site, I naturally asked 'what detail is inaccurate please?' Rather than answer the question, this produced a rather tetchy response:

'FEB2012 has nothing to do with wine. None of your business.'

Although it is clear that the conference prices have been substantially cut rather than the significant rise previously planned for 1st August, The Wine Academy may be right that FEB2012 now has 'nothing to with wine'. If so, this is another change. Certainly Miguel Torres was previously listed as a speaker: 'Miguel Torres, uno de los bodegueros españoles más respetados, explicará cómo han implementado el uso de energías renovables y el reciclaje de agua, así como a sus grandes inversiones en investigación y desarrollo' (eco-union 10.7.2012)

'The wine industry will be represented by Miguel Torres and Carlos Moro at Future Economy Barcelona 2012.' (22.6.2012)

'Topics to be covered: Sustainable agriculture and the wine industry' 27.7.12

However, neither Miguel Torres nor Carlos Moro are now listed as speakers. I did ask The Wine Academy whether they have dropped out. So far no response... However, it is now clear that Miguel Torres has withdrawn as a speaker – was it something the former Olympian said?  

Topics to be covered: 'Sustainable agriculture and the wine industry' now omitted: 28.7.2012

Agriculture and the wine industry are now (see above) not part of Future Economy Barcelona 2012. For Chrand Management luxury lifestyle would appear now to be more important than sustainable agriculture.